The Dryden Fire Service is expected to be at a full complement of staff early next year.
The Service is reporting a current team of 41 full time staff and volunteer firefighters.
An additional four recruits have deferred their training due to COVID-19 restrictions and training is expected to begin in November.
The target number of personnel is 45.
The Fire Service is also planning on hiring a full-time Fire Prevention and By-law Enforcement Officer.
Staff are now reviewing 24 submitted applications.
Chief Rob Grimwood says he’s content with their numbers and feels they can meet the communities needs.
Meantime, the end of summer was a busy one for the Fire Service.
Officials are reporting 74 calls for service in July, August and September.
That’s a 32% increase over each of the 2020 first and second quarter call volumes.
Firefighters responded to 10 open air burning complaints and eight structure fires.
They also assisted in seven motor vehicle collisions and seven emergency medical assistance calls.
Overall its been a steady year for firefighters.
Officials are reporting 186 calls for service from January 1 through September 30.
That’s only up three from the same period last year.
Both motor vehicle collisions and emergency medical assistance calls were near the top at 27.
Personnel also responded to 22 structure fires and 19 open air burning complaints.
