Even though Andrew Brysiuk knew that a promotion from probationary volunteer firefighter was in the works, he only had a day’s notice to show up for Monday evening’s meeting in his good uniform.
There, Brysiuk, a 23-year-old Stettler resident, earned his “yellow lid,” the yellow helmet that denotes a fully-fledged member of the Stettler Regional Fire Department.
“I am so proud,” Brysiuk said. He’s been a firefighter with the department for two years in May, and has worked hard for the past two years to earn the “five points” necessary for a promotion.
Probationary firefighters, essentially firefighters-in-training, wear orange helmets to denote their position in the station’s hierarchy.
Deputy fire chief Etienne Brugman said the helmet system was put in place to let the officers on-scene be able to tell at-a-glance the experience of the firefighter. In a smoky or dim situation, it’s not always possible to read the name on the back of a jacket, or see a face clearly. The helmets make it easier.
For each year of volunteer service, a firefighter earns a point, meaning that at minimum, relying on in-house training only, it can take up to five years for a probationary firefighter to achieve his or her yellow lid.
One of the five necessary points has to be a year-point, Brysiuk explained. The others are earned through taking accredited firefighting courses, such as those offered by Lakeland College.
“It’s a lot of work,” Brysiuk said, and some sacrifice. “Most courses take a week, so that’s time off work.” While the Town of Stettler and Stettler County, which fund the fire department, pay for the training, they don’t compensate for lost wages.
Brugman said Brysiuk “took the bulls by the horns” and worked hard to get his five points in less than two years.
Even though Brysiuk knew he’d gained his five points, he didn’t know until Monday morning that his promotion had gone through. The yellow helmet he earned was personalized, so the badge on the front has not only the fire department’s name and station on it, but Brysiuk’s as well.
“I was really excited,” he said, about receiving the helmet, and the responsibilities that come with it.
Brysiuk was working with Stettler County when he made the decision to plunge into the world of firefighting, and he credits fire chief Mark Dennis and Brugman for lighting the spark of interest.
“Andrew used to work at the county, and after some stirring he came on (with the department),” Brugman said. “He’s a good guy and loves to be part of the team.”
Brysiuk’s information technology (IT) experience has been a boon to the department, as he’s able to help maintain the technology needs of the department.
“He’s a valuable part of the department and we’re glad to have him,” Brugman said.