The Steinbach Fire Department is looking for new members to join its team as the community faces a record-high number of emergency calls. Residents interested in serving as paid-on-call firefighters have until May 25, 2026, to submit their applications.
The department, which operates out of the fire hall at 477 Main Street, is seeking recruits to help maintain emergency coverage as the city grows. Last year was the busiest in the department’s history, with 398 recorded incidents, marking a 30 per cent increase from the 305 calls responded to in 2024. Fire Chief Kelvin Toews currently serves as the department’s only full-time staff member, working alongside approximately 49 paid-on-call members.
The need for volunteers is a trend seen across the country. According to the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, there are about 90,000 volunteer firefighters in Canada, but concerns are rising due to an aging workforce, with more than 30 per cent of those volunteers over the age of 50. In Steinbach, city leadership has begun discussing the potential need for a combination model that would include both volunteer and full-time staff in the future to keep up with rising demand.
Residents who are interested in learning more about the role are invited to attend a hiring open house at the fire hall on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. An information night is also set for Monday, May 18, 2026, at 7 p.m. Once hired, recruits will go through 18 months of training, which includes weekly drills and provincial testing, to achieve their Level 1 Firefighter certification.
