One of Tofino's volunteer firefighters is gaining valuable frontline wildfire experience this summer while supporting crews in BC's Interior.

Ben Shuster has volunteered with the Tofino Volunteer Fire Department (TVFD) since 2023, where he has received Wildland Urban Interface firefighting training. This spring, he also trained with Cherry Creek Fire Department and was invited to join its wildfire deployment list.

That training has now taken Ben to the Brunswick Complex, where he is serving with the crew of Engine 33, a Cherry Creek wildland-equipped fire truck supporting wildfire operations.

The experience Ben gains on deployment will also strengthen TVFD when he returns home.

TVFD has already seen the value of members bringing wildfire experience back to the department. Fellow TVFD member Tim Oh has spent multiple wildfire seasons with BC Wildfire Service's Heatseeker Unit Crew. When Tim returns to Tofino, he shares what he has learned and helps lead wildland firefighting training for fellow members.

Opportunities like these allow TVFD members to apply their training in complex wildfire environments, learn alongside experienced crews, and bring new skills and knowledge back to Tofino.

The District of Tofino and TVFD wish Ben and the entire Cherry Creek crew a safe deployment and look forward to welcoming him home with even more experience to share.