Williams Lake Fire Department Recruiting New Paid On-Call Firefighters

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The Williams Lake Fire Department (WLFD) is recruiting new paid on-call firefighters and invites interested residents to attend upcoming information sessions to learn more about the role, training process and how to apply.

WLFD is seeking motivated, physically fit individuals over the age of 19 who are interested in serving their community while developing valuable emergency response and teamwork skills.

“Paid on-call firefighting offers a unique opportunity to challenge yourself, learn new skills and be part of a close-knit team that plays a critical role in keeping our community safe,” said Deputy Fire Chief Brendan Foote. “We encourage anyone who wants to learn more about firefighting to come out to an information session, ask questions, and see if this is the right fit for them.”

Two information sessions will be held at the Williams Lake Fire Hall, located at 230 Hodgson Road, on Tuesday, March 3 and Tuesday, March 10, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The sessions will provide an overview of what is required to become a paid on-call firefighter and offer an opportunity to speak directly with department members. Recruitment booklets and information packages will be available at the sessions and at the fire hall.

Additional recruitment resources, including a firefighter recruitment video and application forms, are available on the City of Williams Lake website or in person at the fire hall.

Applications are open until Friday, March 13, 2026. Applicants must reside within the Williams Lake Fire Protection District.

For more information, contact the Williams Lake Fire Department at 250-392-4321 or visit www.williamslake.ca/238/protective-services.

Cariboo RD Area "A" By-Election 2026/All Candidates Forum at Kersley Community Hall - Feb 2, 2026

Earlier this evening from 7-8pm at the Kersley Community Hall -- I joined my Cariboo RD Area "C" colleague (and CCRHD Vice-Chair) John Massier in observing the Cariboo RD Area "A" All Candidates Forum hosted by the Kersley Community Association.  The candidates, Nicole Audet and Chris Helmink answered a number of questions which included: 

1. Tell us about yourself

2. Appointment of Kersley Recreation Commission Executive by Area “A” Director - will you maintain this practice, if elected?

3. Durrell Rd/Kersley VFD 

4. If elected - what changes will you implement 

5. Experience in advocating to other levels of government (provincial/federal) and pursuing of grants and advocacy in general for Area “A”

6. Support for Kersley VFD 

7. Support for volunteers in rural unincorporated communities such as Kersley 

8. What are your priorities as Area A Director until October 2026? 

9. If you were Area A Director at the time — how would you have dealt with continuing operation of Kersley Elementary and ensuring no gravel pits in Sisters Creek

10. How will serve the diverse needs of Area A from semi-urban to true rural ….

11. How will balance needs of Area A (specifically Kersley) vs personal priorities 

12. What kind of leadership style do you bring to the position of Area “A” Director 

13. How will work on Kersley specific issues like High Speed Internet, lack of HandyDART and rural road maintenance? 

In my opinion -- the candidates handled themselves well and there were no missteps by the candidates at the Forum ... Cariboo Regional District Area "A" voters will have a tough choice in selecting their Area Director to serve a period between March to October of 2026.... 

Steve's Meeting/Expense Calendar -- January 2026

In the month of January 2026 - I attended the following meetings or events: 

* January 8, 2026 -- facilitated the January 2026 meeting of the McLeese Lake Recreation Commission, at their request 

* January 13, 2026 -- Coffee with Sarah Jackman (who is also a Cariboo RD Area "D" resident) of the Williams Lake Salvation Army and a tour to follow to gain an insight of their activities for both Williams Lake (inside City boundaries) and the greater Central Cariboo region 

* January 14, 2026 -- Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus meeting 

* January 15, 2026 -- Cariboo RD Finance/Budget Committee meeting 

* January 16, 2026 -- Meetings of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District & Cariboo Regional District Boards' 

* January 21, 2026 -- Annual "Thank You Lunch" by myself at the Point Restaurant in Williams Lake (along with the Cariboo RD Area "D" Alternate Director) for Cariboo RD Area "D" Advisory Planning Commission (APC) members to express my personal appreciation for their service to myself/Cariboo RD Board on their recommendations on Land Use applications within Electoral Area "D" of the Cariboo Regional District 

Then they (APC) held a brief meeting to review a Land Use Planning application on Fox Mountain and provide a recommendation on the application to the Regional Board for their consideration 

* January 26, 2026 -- Virtually attended (via MS Teams) the Board of Education for School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) meeting virtually - given their discussions around their Procedural Bylaw amendments 

* January 28, 2026 -- Meeting with Dawson Road Maintenance/Xat'sull First Nation staff regarding maintenance of Mountain House Road (gravel portion) and then attend the Monthly Meeting of the Central Cariboo Joint Committee 

* January 29, 2026 -- Attend monthly meeting of the Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce 

* January 30, 2026 -- Met with Xat'sull First Nation's Director of Education as well as BC Conservative Party Leadership candidates (Peter Milobar and representative for Yuri Fulmer) and encouraged them to remember us in Rural BC and our needs for the rural unincorporated communities.  The representative for Yuri Fulmer committed to passing my contact details to Mr. Fulmer so he/I could have a follow-up conversation ... 

As well -- responded to regular and ongoing inquiries from Cariboo RD Area "D" residents via phone/text, email or social media.  In addition, remained in regular contact with the Cariboo RD Area "D" Alternate Director and use her as a "sounding board" in ensuring I was on the right track for residents' of the Electoral Area... 

As to expenses submitted in the month of January 2026:

* January 14, 2026 -- $83 for attendance at Central Cariboo Rural Directors' Caucus meeting 

* January 15, 2026 -- $129 for attendance at Cariboo RD Finance/Budget Committee meeting 

* January 16, 2026 -- $206 for attendance at meetings of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Hospital District & Cariboo Regional District Boards' 

* January 28, 2026 -- $83 for attendance at Central Cariboo Joint Committee meeting