In preparation for fires started by wood stove heat in residents' houses this winter season, and ahead of the spring 2023 thaw, the Houston Fire Department and Houston District are seeking new volunteers for their Emergency Support Services (ESS) team.

Currently, the Houston ESS has five volunteers, and they are looking to recruit four to five more people.

"We need more people to get trained and register people [in the case of an emergency event] because there are a lot of forms that need to be filled and filed quickly in order to help the people who's life is being changed," said Jim Daignault, Houston District Fire Chief and ESS Program Coordinator.

Daphne Tofsrud has been the director for Houston ESS for the last five years. She said that volunteers need to exercise patience and empathy when dealing with the public.

"You need to be patient and understanding when helping people go through the process after an emergency because it could be the worst day of their lives," she said.

Tofsrud encourages anyone in the Houston area who is interested in learning more about volunteering to email her at houston@ess.ca to join the next meeting on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Houston Fire Hall.

Listen to Pamela Haasen's interview with Jim Daignault and Daphne Tofsrud below: