Several civic-minded individuals have stepped forward as potential firefighters for 100 Mile House Fire-Rescue.
Chief Darrell Blades says the recent 2012 Recruiting open house was successful with half a dozen people attending to sign up.
With two more who phoned him after the meeting, the interview process began in early April and Blades notes he's hoping to have eight new recruits by the start of basic training tomorrow (April 19).
The B.C. Basic Firefighter Certificate Program is first up, he adds, leading to job-related physical fitness testing and a one-day live fire training in the Fire Attack Rural Program.
"Once they have all that done, they join the department as probationary firefighters until the end of the year."
The new-member training doesn't end there, however.
Additional courses include auto-extrication for highways rescue, medical first responder and an "endless list" of other training, Blades explains, much of it involving awareness levels.
"They've got a lot of training ahead of them,” he adds.
"It looks pretty good so far, but we'll see how they make out. They need to be successful in all of it in order to carry on and join the department."
In December, the new recruits will be reviewed again on their training and attendance, he adds, and if all is well, they'll become regular firefighters at the beginning of 2013.
Then regular training for all members continues with ongoing courses, Blades notes.
"It looks like we've got a good group of community members and we're excited to get them going on their training and fill our empty spots."