Five Williams Lake firefighters have been chosen to work in Whistler during the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games.
Des Webster, Ed Ma, Kurtis Isfeld, Don Firth, Tallon Rolston, and Alain Lachapelle will all head to Whistler next month.
Assistant fire chief Des Webster will start at the sliding venues on March 4 as venue commander, and will leave as the rest of the Williams Lake crew arrives March 16.
Webster says the crew will offer any assistance needed, help look after the Olympic venues, and respond to emergencies.
“This is an honour, and it shows our department is well respected in the province,” Webster says, noting the Office of the Fire Commissioner chose departments from across B.C. to participate in the Olympics. “The is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m totally thrilled with that.”
The remaining firefighters will work four 12-hour shifts on March 17, 18, 19, and 20, at the sliding venues, Ma says.
“We’ll be responsible for inspections when the Games aren’t running, and roaming the area, and we will be called as fist response in an emergency,” he says.
“I think it will be fantastic to see the Paralympic Games in action, and see the sliding events, stuff you don’t normally get to see,” Ma says.
Webster notes 12-hour shifts don’t leave a lot of free time.
“But we’re going to make the most of it,” he says.