Calgarians can expect to see a few new firefighters at their local stations this month, helping to reduce response times and provide more life saving services to the city.

The Calgary Fire Department graduated 37 new firefighters on Dec. 13, following 13 weeks of training.

Calgary Fire Chief Steve Dongworth said those graduates couldn’t come fast enough to support growing demand for fire service in Calgary.

“We need more firefighters. we’ve had great support from [Calgary City] Council through this cycle, and it’s great to get another 37 members out there to provide staffing of some things we want to do in terms of up staffing some of our ladders and towers with a larger crew to help us assemble an effective response force quicker,” he said.

“We’re currently struggling in that area in terms of performance management.”

He said that fundamentally, fire response is still a human-centred activity.

“It’s our people who do just amazing work. Then, the right number of stations that are spaced appropriately and staffed appropriately with the right kind of equipment, and then the training, all comes behind that. When you combine all of those things, you have an effective fire service,” Chief Dongworth said.

Because seconds count—every 30 seconds now, with modern materials in the newer types of construction, a fire can double in size—so that’s why the time it takes us to get there is pretty critical, and with the with the right number of people.”

Over the next 18 months, the graduates will be continuing their on-the-job training at fire stations across the city, and graded by fire department leadership on their performance at emergency calls, on teamwork, and readiness to step up to do what needs to be done to support the service and Calgarians.

Chief Dongworth said that it’s a rigorous process, but one that will see each of the graduates supported as they step into their firefighting career.

“Obviously, every one of these people are people where they didn’t just think of this overnight. They’ve guided themselves in a direction that’s landed them at the door of the Calgary Fire Department,” he said.

The variety of professions that recruits held before coming to the service also provides a greater strength and benefit to the fire department, Chief Dongworth said.

“I mean, we have a real range of people. I mean, in the past, we’ve had doctors come to the fire service, some professions you wouldn’t think would would ever be coming to be a recruit firefighter. We’ve got an airline pilot in this class. It’s amazing the variety,” he said.

“Many fire services pull people from fire training colleges, which really limits the field. We take anyone who can meet our basic requirements in terms of having a grade 12 education, and meeting some other very basic things like having a Class 3 drivers license by the time they finish their training. I think we benefit from that in terms of the variety and diversity that we attract, which every organization is stronger the more diverse it is.”

The demographics of the class also saw an increased number of women, four out of 37, which Chief Dongworth said was not yet enough but reflected doing better to attract women to the profession.

“We’re working very hard to get young girls and women in sports activities well aware of what an opportunity this is. We, of course, are now able to use some of our women firefighters to actually go out and deliver that message about what a great job this is,” he said.

“It’s the same with other demographics, whether it’s cultural or all the other demographics we have out there. If people can see themselves in an organization, they’re much more likely to think that it’s a place for them.”

A desire to serve the public

Chief Dongworth said the kind of people who graduated on Friday were those who have a deep desire to serve the public.

“They understand the mission of the fire department, which is to put put ourselves between our citizens and the problem they’re having, and keep them safe and deal with that situation, and they’re committed to that,” he said.

That sentiment was echoed by Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who spoke directly to the families of the graduates about knowing the kind of sacrifices they have made too, in support.

“Many years ago, I married into a fire family. I understand the sleepless nights. I understand the worry not only for on the job situations, but also for prolonged health impacts of fire service. I am grateful that all of you are willing to share these talented and committed folks with us to provide a service that not many people are able to provide,” the mayor said.

She said that when she served as a Calgary city councillor, she was able to participate in a Fire Operations 101, and that experience had a profound impact on her.

“It opened my eyes to the level of skill, of professionalism and courage that is required to do the work that you have taken on. When I became mayor, I made a commitment that I would attend again, and this time I brought my council colleagues with me and we literally walked a day in your very heavy boots,” Mayor Gondek said.

“So, I am confident that the profound gratitude that I express today is shared by each and every one of my colleagues on council as well as our administration.”

She said that commitment was one that also meant ensuring that the department was appropriately funded.

Chief Dongworth said that funding was essential for the hiring of new firefighters in 2024—some 116 over the year.

Photos from the firefighter graduation ceremony