By Doris E Rufli
Aron Zablotny is the new fire chief of the Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department (FGVFD).
Aron stepped into the position at a rather crucial and trying time as new members for firefighting and first responder duties are desperately needed, especially in the Canim Lake area.
"I do like a challenge," says Aron, who is a determined, even tenacious man, having worked his way through the ranks at a fast pace.
He moved to the South Cariboo from North Vancouver six years ago. In March 2012, he joined the FGVFD during a recruitment drive and qualified as both a firefighter and a first responder.
He completed his basic training within three months of joining by attending practice nights and some weekends in 100 Mile House on top of the regular Monday sessions in Forest Grove. Aron was promoted to Lieutenant within two years and worked closely with former fire chief Bob Felker in preparation to take charge of the FGVFD.
The new fire chief acknowledges he feels quite at home with his new duties and responsibilities, and that everything is coming together really well.
His immediate plans are to find new recruits to make sure that both fire halls – Forest Grove and Canim Lake – remain open, and to secure fire and medical coverage for as wide an area as possible.
Aron also intends to develop a small-scale training area based on the 100 Mile House centre by adding a gas line and making other provisions to the newly acquired area of fire hall 1, thus intensifying training in Forest Grove without the need to travel elsewhere.
Doris E Rufli is the Forest Grove correspondent.