Bigfork Fire looking for recruits

By ALEX STRICKLAND Bigfork Eagle

Ranks have thinned in recent months at the Bigfork Volunteer Fire Department and Chief Chuck Harris said the district is actively looking for new recruits.

Harris said in the last six months, the department has lost "six or eight" members to retirement, relocation or moving on to join paid departments.

"It boils down to us wanting good, young people," Harris said. "And it's tough to find good, young people in the Bigfork area."

Harris said some of the department's attrition has been due to people relocating to Kalispell or other parts of the valley to cut down on commuting distances with today's higher fuel prices or to find cheaper real estate.

"The bottom line is we've lost quite a few," he said.

While the department is authorized by the state to have as many as 50 volunteer members, Harris said the most its ever had was around 30. The current roster sits at 24 members.

The department would like to get between six and eight new recruits to come aboard at once, Harris said, so the training process can be streamlined. Often, he said, a recruit is one or two months into their six month probationary period when another volunteer signs up, making it tough to keep track of everyone's progress.

After a volunteer signs up, they're on probation for six months before becoming a full-fledged member of the force. During that time they are assigned a captain to shadow on calls and must complete certain training.

Once a full member, firefighters must attend at least 30 hours of training per year, as per a state mandate, and respond to at least 15 percent of calls. The department hosts a training meeting on the first three Thursday's of each month and a business meeting on the last Thursday.

Harris said the requirements to join the department are that a recruit must be at least 18 years old, in good physical condition and live within the Bigfork Fire District. But, Harris, said, anyone who is interested in joining and lives outside the district lines should come in and talk with him about whether something could be worked out to accommodate the recruit.

No one with a criminal record can be accepted as a firefighter.

Harris said the department has been making efforts to update the firehouse's day room to make it more comfortable and encourage volunteers to spend more time at the fire hall. A plasma TV, XBox system and full kitchen amenities are available for firefighters to use anytime.

Harris said another benefit is that Bigfork Fire boasts some of the nicest equipment and trucks in the county. And besides that, it opens the door for new friendships.

"Once you become part of this group it's like a brotherhood and sisterhood," he said.