On Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, nine volunteer recruit firefighters will officially graduate after eight months of intensive training and will begin responding to calls the very next day.
The graduates — Christopher Brinkos, Steven dePeuter, Elisabeth Hihnala, Kaitlyn Owen, Ethan Pinto, William Poot, Jackson Taylor, Joshua Wells, and Rachel Zawadi — began training on Jan. 8, 2025. Under the guidance of training officers Hecking and Poot, they completed a program blending Ontario Fire Marshal curriculum with locally developed modules for both career and volunteer recruits.
Weekly evening sessions and specialized weekend training covered everything from personal protective equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus, and hose operations, to live fire scenarios at Base Borden, auto extrication techniques, and 24 hours of medical training through the Simcoe County paramedics’ Quality Care Program.
“These volunteers are true pillars of our community,” said Mayor James Leduc. “They’ve committed countless hours to preparing for the toughest situations, and now they stand ready to help keep BWG safe.”
For those with limited prior experience, additional certification was provided through the Ontario Fire Marshal, culminating in written and practical exams.
“The dedication and perseverance these recruits have shown is remarkable,” said BWG Fire and Emergency Services Chief Michael Rozario. “They’ve earned their place on the team, and we’re proud to see them put their training into action for the people of BWG.”
The graduation ceremony will take place at BWG Fire and Emergency Services headquarters, with family, friends, and community members invited to celebrate the achievements of these new firefighters.