Western Exposure

B.C. firefighters-in-training sidelined despite blazes

By August 10, 2009March 19th, 2015No Comments

The British Columbia Forest Service launched a program in June to train unemployed workers to fight forest fires, but many of them are still waiting to be called to duty, reports Mark Hume of the Globe and Mail. Because of the harsh wildfire season this year, the province claims on-the-job training for the new recruits is too risky. Many recently-trained firefighters are on standby while the province has brought in crews from other provinces and around the world to handle the B.C. fires. Some trainees hope the government will follow through on the program so they’ll be prepared to help during wildfire season next year.

– Emily Linroth

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