Meet our Members: WEP Firefighter Jonny Podolski

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Work Experience Firefighter Jonny Podolski.

Jonnny will be at Comox Fire Rescue for approximately 100 days working 40 hours a week as a voluntary position gaining valuable experience in the department's Work Experience Program (WEP).

WEP members live at the firehall during their stay allowing them to gain experience responding to calls as well as training.

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Was there a specific even that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?

My best friends father was a Captain with the City of Vancouver. I always admired who he was as a person and the way he carried himself. The respect he earned was something special to me.

Tell us about your family.

I'm the youngest of 4 with having 2 older sisters and a brother. My parents came from Poland and happened to reside in Vancouver. I'm also a proud of uncle of 4 nephews and a niece.

What is your regular “Day Job”?

I work for the City of Burnaby. I deal with utilities and have experience in both water and wastewater.

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

I've had many amazing experiences in my life but the experience of being a uncle would top them off.

Do you have any fire service goals?

I would love to become a career firefighter. I've been fortunate and I am proud to be apart of Comox Fire Rescue, as it has been the best decision in my life so far.

“We are very excited to have Jonny join our Work Experience Program.” says Comox Fire Rescue's Chief Gord Schreiner. “He will be living at the fire station for up to 100 days. This will allow him to gain a great deal of experience. “

Comox Fire has had several firefighters over the last years, with many moving on to full time fire fighting careers. The WEPs receive NO pay, but they are provided a bedroom in the fire station.

Thanks for joining our team Jonny!

Meet our Members: Firefighter Bob Mitchell

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Firefighter Bob Mitchell.

Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?

My grandfather and uncle were volunteer firefighters in my hometown of Twillingate in Newfoundland. When I was a kid I spent a lot of time around the fire station so I guess it grew on me.

Tell us a bit about your family

I have been married to my beautiful wife Renee for 17 years and we have two sons. Hayden is 16 and Jackson is 14.

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What is your regular “Day Job”

I am a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Tell us about your passion in life.

I like to think that I have a passion for helping people, which is why I enjoy being a volunteer firefighter.

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

The birth of my children has to be the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. I don’t think anything is going to top that.

Do you have any fire service goals?

I want to become a driver and pump operator.

“Thank you for joining Comox.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner.

"Bob brings many years of firefighting experice from several departments." states Schreiner. "We look forward to working and training with you Bob."

Meet our Members: Firefighter Chris Rehor

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Firefighter Chris Rehor

Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?

The first was spending years training and testing firefighters in different capacities, eventually I realised I wanted to be doing what these people were doing. I find firefighting a fantastic mix of physical and mental challenges and I love the team environment that comes with it.

The second is my grandfather Jack Robertson was the Chief in Cumberland for many years, when I was young I loved listening to his stories and jokes. To this day he is one of my favorite people, (don't tell him that though) Chief Robertson (Jack) celebrated his 94th birthday a few weeks ago.

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Tell us a bit about your family

I am married with three young boys (aged four, two and four months). It is absolute pandemonium at times but I could not imagine it any other way. My parents, grandparents and sister are all currently in the Comox Valley.

What is your regular “Day Job”

I'm a "Reconditioning Specialist" for the Canadian Armed Forces (Civilian). I spend most of my day in the gym working with members recovering from a variety of injuries.

Tell us about your passion in life.

In my earlier years I was heavily into team sports (soccer and rugby) as well as individual outdoor pursuits (rock climbing, skiing, XC skiing, cycling). I went to school for Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology and have worked in the exercise industry for 15 years. Today my passion is for my family, for learning the trade of firefighting and for riding lots of different kinds of bicycles.

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

I know it's a gimme answer but the birth of my children trumps all cards.

Do you have any fire service goals?

I decided three years ago that I would make an attempt at becoming a full time career firefighter so that is my final goal. Until then my goal is to learn as much as I can from my trainers and peers and to assist my community as much as possible as a POC member.

“Thank you for joining our team Chris.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner.

"Chris brings a great background in health and fitness and we look forward to training and working with you." states Schreiner. "Best of luck on your fire service career."

Meet our Members: Recruit Tammy Blair

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview new Recruit Tammy Blair, who joined in April of 2022

Was there a specific event or reason for you to be interested in becoming a firefighter?

As a teenager I admired the strength training and courage of firefighters at my hometown firehall. It was always a career I thought about pursuing, but I focused on trade school first. Then, as a young adult my dad died of a massive heart attack. When I arrived at his side, there had been several firefighters and paramedics who had tried to revive him. I respected their fight to save my dad’s life for us. I would be honoured to return similar compassion, skills and care to those in our community.

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Tell us a bit about your family

We moved to Comox four years ago from Vancouver because we fell in love with the community and its surroundings. This is home. My wife and I have two children, a husky dog and two rabbits. We enjoy camping, surfing, swimming, kayaking, snowboarding, hiking and baking/cooking together. Since our move here we find ourselves traveling to local surf more often and finding new places to explore together.

What is your regular “Day Job”

I am a Relief “Postie” for Canada Post, here in Courtenay/Comox. I enjoy the challenge of carrying the mail and interacting with the customers. The times when I’m not covering shifts, you can find me in my workshop. I have a small business - Blair Woods, from which I design & build custom furniture pieces and small woodcraft items.

Tell us about your passion in life.

Spending time immersed in what I love; time with family/ friends, adventure, surfing, beach combing, hiking, roller skating, growing house plants, having a creative outlet and learning new skills.

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

I’d have to say childbirth!  I found it an honour to grow and love something I hadn’t met. Then, Bam! Baby born, held, instant connection, instant love! From surreal to real, pretty wild!

Do you have any fire service goals?

To be a person in the community who you can trust and rely on, by using the skills I’ve learned from my training Captain, Lieutenant and team at Comox Fire Rescue.

“Thank you for joining our team Tammy.” says Comox Fire Rescue Chief Gord Schreiner.

"Becoming a firefigher takes a great deal of time and dedication by not only the firefighter, but their family as well. We look forward to training and working with you Tammy." states Schreiner. "Best of luck on your fire service career."

Meet our Members: WEP Firefighter Emma Farrell

This week on "Meet our Members", we interview Work Experience Firefighter Emma Farrell.

Emma will be at Comox Fire Rescue for approximately 100 days working 40 hours a week as a voluntary position gaining valuable experience in the department's Work Experience Program (WEP).

WEP members live at the firehall during their stay allowing them to gain experience responding to calls as well as training.

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Was there a specific even that first interested you in becoming a fire fighter?

I wanted a job that was dynamic and that wasn’t in an office environment. When I started exploring different career paths I found that every firefighter I spoke to truly loved their job. Once I started going down this road I realized that I truly enjoy being a first responder and haven’t looked back since. Comox is a truly beautiful place. I’m so excited to learn at this facility and I can’t think of a better place to spend the next 100 days.

Tell us about your family.

I was born an only child in Vancouver before my parents moved us to Lake Country, BC. My mom was a radio personality in Vancouver for 15 years. 

My dad is an avid cyclist and fisherman who originally introduced me to Comox when he started taking me to this part of the island on fishing trips.

What is your regular “Day Job”?

For the past two years I’ve worked at a womens shelter in Vancouvers DTES. On the winter weekends I patrol at Mt Seymour.  

Tell us about your passion in life

I really enjoy learning new skills. During the pandemic I took sign language classes over zoom and am teaching myself Spanish. I worked for years in fine dining where I learned so much about cooking with seasonal ingredients. I’ve taken to ski patrol because there is so much to learn in a practical environment. Otherwise I love being outside, surfing, hiking, and cooking on a fire. 

Tell us about the most amazing thing you have experienced so far in life.

Fishing just off of Hornby and seeing a pod of orcas swim circles around grey whales. And seeing the northern lights in Yellowknife earlier this month.

Do you have any fire service goals?

My ultimate goal is to become a career firefighter for the City of Vancouver. 

“We are very excited to have Emma join our Work Experience Program.” says Comox Fire Chief, Gord Schreiner. “She will be living at the fire station for up to 100 days. This will allow her to gain a great deal of experience. “

Comox Fire has had several firefighters over the last years, with many moving on to full time fire fighting careers. The WEPs receive NO pay, but they are provided a bedroom in the fire station.

Thanks for joining our team Emma!