The Steinbach Fire Department is recognizing businesses that allow their employees to serve as volunteer firefighters. Fire Chief Kel Toews says the employer is often neglected as a member of the team.

"The firefighters get recognition for sacrifices they made but, often the employer is forgotten and they make a huge sacrifice by allowing their employees to go to daytime fire calls."

Toews was at W.S. Steel Wednesday to present owner Joe Waldner with a plaque to recognize the fact two Steinbach firefighters work at the company. He notes the fire department averages one call per day.

"Last year we went to 144 calls on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. which translates, in rough figures, for every employee, the employer is sacrificing pretty close to 40 hours a year. And, in the case of W.S. Steel, they've got two employees here that are on the department so it's a huge commitment."

Waldner explains why these employees are allowed to leave work whenever their fire pager goes off.

"It's a sense of community. Here in our company, community is a huge part of what we do. We are very well aware that we have good employees in this community. Their work ethic is based on their background and faith and we have to do our part in encouraging that community and that participation so it's really a sense of who we are and what we do every day."

Waldner adds there is also a benefit in that the company has two people who are highly trained in fire safety to help keep their plant as safe as possible.

Toews urges residents to support the businesses who allow employees be firefighters.

"Part of the recognition process involves giving all the employers a sticker that they can put on their storefront window or door and I encourage people to frequent these places, go in and say thank-you for their contribution to the city's fire department. And, patronize them, buy stuff from them because they're contributing to the community."

The Steinbach Fire Department started a recruiting drive Friday to try and attract about a dozen new members.