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Wanted: Firefighters
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Posted on Dec 05 2004
A recently formed group is seeking individuals interested in volunteering as firefighters to temporarily fill the positions of U.S. Army reservists called to active duty.
Stanley C. Torres, president of the Commonwealth Volunteer Fire Department Association, said the group was formed to address the manpower shortage of the Commonwealth Ports Authority Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Unit, which he also heads.
Over 10 employees, who are Army reservists, were among the local reservists called to augment U.S. Armed Forces in the Middle East. As a result, ARFF is currently operating on a skeletal crew, Torres said.
He said the CVFDA targets to attract between 20 and 40 volunteers who will receive the same training as regular firefighters. “They will not be called every time there’s a fire. But they are expected to provide assistance in case of a big disaster or catastrophe,” he said.
He added that the group needs committed people, as training would be vigorous and would take time. “We are expecting that some volunteers would have day jobs. Therefore, they would not be able to train except probably at night or during weekends,” he said.
The CVFDA is an independent, non-profit organization.
Other officials of the CVFDA board of directors are Shell’s Jeff Boyer, vice president; Educational Training Agency’s Vince McFarland, treasurer; and Northern Marianas College’s Dave Attao, secretary.
Hotel Association of the Northern Marianas Islands’ Ed Salas, attorney Robert T. Torres, and Workforce Investment Agency’s Jesse P. Stein are members. (Agnes E. Donato)
