Being a Work Experience Program (WEP) firefighter provides knowledge and experience that fire departments look for in new recruits. This challenging and rewarding opportunity offers you the ability to maintain and enhance your previously acquired skills while responding to emergencies and performing required station duties.
Applications for the 2023-2024 Program are now closed.
Doctor's Medical Clearance or Certificate of Fitness; Fit Tech, CPAT or York
Driver’s license with Air Brake Endorsement, favourable driver's abstract with no more than 3 points
High School Graduate
In-depth personal record check
NFPA 1001 - Firefighter 1 and 2 or equivalent certification
Advanced level of First Aid Training
Post secondary academic diploma
Previous firefighting or other related work
Primary care paramedic or equivalent
Technical, trades or equivalent level
The Town of Creston is located in the southeast corner of British Columbia in the Kootenays along the Canada / United States border. It is approximately 5 hours away from Calgary and 8 hours away from Vancouver. In its proximity there are other centers such as Cranbrook, Trail, Nelson and Castlegar within an hour and Spokane, Washington is approximately 2.5 hours southwest.
The Creston Valley is supported by a diverse economic base including Columbia Brewery, agriculture, forest industry and tourism. Kootenay Lake is 25 km north of town offering recreational opportunities with the Kootenay region having some of the best skiing in British Columbia only a short distance away.
Since 1899, Creston Fire Rescue has protected the citizens in the Town of Creston and Creston Valley. Creston Fire Rescue consists of 45 paid-on-call firefighters, a Captain and two career Chief Officers.
The mission statement of Creston Fire Rescue is, “Putting People First with Pride, Honour and Integrity” committed to a safe, healthy and inclusive workplace. The fire service is customer orientated ensuring that every incident is managed in a quick, caring, and effective manner.
Between the municipality, contract service area and automatic aid agreement, the fire service provides service to the majority of the Creston Valley, including automatic response to other fire departments outside of the Town of Creston.
The Town of Creston fire rescue service promotes:
A safe, healthy, respectful and inclusive workplace
Serving the public with skill, care and professionalism
Acting with dedication, commitment and honesty
Striving to be better
A 12 month commitment to the work experience program is required, with the exception of those hired to a career fire department during their program. Daily duties of the WEP firefighter is balanced between, but not limited to; fire suppression, technical rescue, medical response, fire prevention, public education, company fire inspections, preplanning, maintenance duties of equipment and fire station, as well as community events. WEP firefighters work a standard daytime shift routine Monday to Friday and are scheduled for duty coverage on weekends on a rotational basis.
Enhancing your skills to assist you in your career search is our priority. WEP firefighters are mentored by experienced training and fire officers. You will participate in specialized WEP training evolutions, regular training sessions with department, assist in training paid-on-call firefighters and personal development education.
You will also have self-directed training opportunities from the department and through your training allowance through the College of the Rockies, Justice Institute of British Columbia and others hosted by Creston Fire Rescue. Certificate courses may include:
Emergency Scene Traffic Control
Emergency Vehicle Operator
Fire Service Instructor
Incident Command System 100 – 300
Pumps and Pumping
Rapid Intervention Team
Strategy and Tactics and many more
Within the program WEP firefighters certify to Emergency Medical Assistant First Responder Level 3 with spinal and AED endorsements. WEP firefighters have the opportunity to share their previous acquired skills through development of lesson plans and drills to challenge the paid on-call fighters. Specific to WEP firefighters, instruction in resume writing and interview skills will be provided to set you a part.
WEP firefighters live at the Creston Emergency Services Building. Sleeping quarters are single room dorms equipped with a bed. Common areas include full laundry, cooking, washrooms, showers, and lounge facilities. Other amenities include wireless internet and television.
WEP firefighters will be remunerated for response to emergencies, attendance to regularly scheduled training, and standby duties.
In addition WEP firefighters receive $2,400 which can be taken in the form of education allowance or stipend to assist with living expenses. A complimentary pass to the Creston and District Community Centre for swimming and gym is provided to WEP firefighters to help maintain physical fitness and offer a form of recreation.
