A Deputy District Fire Chief has been named for the new Blumenort Fire Department.

Hanover Fire Chief Paul Wiebe says Roberto Hiebert will fill that position.

"He's a business owner in town," says Wiebe. "His community service goes well beyond the fire department. So he's very well known, very well respected in Blumenort."

Wiebe adds his leadership capabilities make him a good fit for that position.

The Blumenort Fire Hall is expected to become operational in late June or early July. But Wiebe says they are now starting to line up their leadership team. He notes Hiebert will likely move into the District Fire Chief position at some point down the road. At that time, a new Deputy District Fire Chief will be named. Wiebe notes they will also be appointing two captains.

As of today, there are 16 volunteer firefighters training for the Blumenort Fire Department. Wiebe says only one of them has prior firefighting experience. Hiebert comes with no past experience, but Wiebe says he has been taking the training and will be mentored. Further to that, he says the Blumenort firefighters have been on site at several calls within the municipality in the past year and will continue to do that through winter and spring.

"These guys aren't going to be left alone," assures Wiebe. "He's going to have somebody to lean on for the next three to five years, however long it takes till they feel comfortable working on their own."

Wiebe says the goal is to get up to 18 to 20 volunteer firefighters for Blumenort. He would like to see another two individuals begin their Level 1 training next fall.

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