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During the holiday season, many of us reflect on the year that was, our priorities, and how we might make a meaningful impact in the year to come. With a significant number of volunteer firefighters nearing retirement, Seguin Fire Chief Sean Carroll hopes that the next generation will consider joining the service in 2023.
“I firmly believe in voluntary service, contributing to the community and giving back in whatever way you can,” says Greg Aldworth, who just retired after volunteering with Seguin Fire Services for more than 17 years. His inspiration mirrors that of fellow residents who want to play an active role in helping to keep the community safe.
“We have a wonderful group of volunteers who are passionate about protecting the safety and wellbeing of their neighbours,” says Chief Carroll. “There is a deep sense of gratification that comes from being part of this crew.”
Connecting with fellow volunteers also helps to create a feeling of comradery and social connection. “That’s one of the big things about volunteering in general and is especially true about helping with the fire department,” says Greg. “I met people who I probably would not have met before and people from different spheres of life and that’s an interesting side benefit.”
In addition to the personal gratification of volunteering, Greg says that there are a lot of practical perks to being part of the Seguin volunteer firefighting team. “The training is terrific. You don’t need to have any prior experience to join. It’s also great if you love to learn because you’re always building on your skills.”
The time commitment is also reasonable. Greg’s availability fluctuated over the years especially when he ran his own business. He says that Seguin Fire Services always understood the challenges of balancing volunteering with career and family. He also notes that the weekly meetings help to keep volunteers engaged while also providing exceptional training to ensure crews are confident and skilled to respond in an emergency. There’s also the option to customize training based on individual comfort level, interests, and goals. Greg honed his expertise in ice and water rescue; others gravitate towards ropes and heights rescue. Building these skills not only increases volunteer confidence on the job, but in everyday life.
“Knowing how to respond to crisis is an invaluable life skill,” says Chief Carroll. “Our volunteer crews often say they feel more equipped for everyday life in Seguin where outdoor adventures – from boating to snowmobiling – are so engrained in our culture.”
Making the decision to retire was bittersweet for Greg. “I’m driven by the idea of trying to leave things a little better than you found it.” The hope is that the next generation of volunteers in Seguin feel the same way.
Seguin Township is divided into four fire districts: Christie (including Monteith), Foley, Humphrey and Rosseau. The Fire Department provides Seguin residents with fire and emergency protection, inspection and investigation services, as well as public education programs, helping children and adults to become more aware of preventative measures that will save lives.
Volunteers are paid as part-time, on- call firefighters. The hourly wage varies between $19.12 - $27.47, depending on rank and years of service.
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