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The City of Moose Jaw Fire Department welcomed two new team members on April 25. Dustin Barnett and Max Pilsworth have started their firefighting careers and are currently going through orientation and job shadowing — they’ll be responding to calls within a couple of weeks.
Pilsworth attended the Manitoba Emergency Services College in Brandon; Barnett went to the Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre in Vermilion, Alberta.
However, both men were born and raised in Moose Jaw and were determined to have their careers be with the Moose Jaw Fire Department (MJFD).
“This was my number one priority,” Barnett said. “I planned my schooling based off Moose Jaw.”
“I’d say the same for me,” Pilsworth agreed. “We’ve both been here in Moose Jaw our whole lives, and for me, I feel like this community and the city itself have given me a lot over the years… It is nice to just be able to give back to the community that gave so much to you as a kid growing up.”
Barnett said that he grew up five houses down from the hospital he was born in; he went to school five houses down from his house.
“I’ve always been from here,” he said. “My wife’s from here, both my parents. I’ve moved to Saskatoon, I’ve lived in Lethbridge, but I always find my way back to Moose Jaw somehow. We care about this place, and it’s time to give back in a meaningful way.”
Barnett and Pilsworth said that although they have completed their initial training and been hired, they still have a lot to learn. Barnett noted wryly that he won’t actually be driving an engine for the foreseeable future.
“There’s lots of training to be done,” Pilsworth explained. “Obviously, we had our schooling, but it’s not quite exactly the same as how they do it here in Moose Jaw.”
“The way I see it is, our college taught us many different approaches,” Barnett said. “And now we’re learning how Moose Jaw handles things.”
There is a high level of expertise expected in their profession, and there is a lot of reading on top of how physically demanding the job can be. Barnett's training involved a 2300-page firefighting manual and another 1000-page manual strictly for the pump truck, diving into the operation, pressures, gauges, and more.
In addition, firefighters are expected to respond to a wide variety of emergencies. They need to have extensive medical training. Pilsworth spent six months qualifying as a paramedic before he started his fire course, and has already been working with local ambulance services. Barnett travelled to Saskatoon to qualify as an Emergency Medical Responder.
They both said they’ve been impressed by the family atmosphere at the station, and are grateful for the mentorship they’re receiving.
Barnett said, “Yeah, everybody’s so helpful. I like it, it makes it easier on us… We’re a family here as far as I’m concerned. That’s the vibe I get, so everybody wants everybody to succeed.”
“Absolutely,” Pilsworth said, nodding.
“I wanted to do something that my kids could be proud of,” Barnett added. “So they can go to school and say, ‘my dad’s a firefighter, he helps people.’ I’m extremely proud to be here. It’s hard work to get to where we are. Now, it’s time to really start.”
