While cities employ career fire firefighters, small towns and villages rely on volunteers. A growing number of communities in New Brunswick and across Canada are struggling to find enough firefighters to respond to calls.
Students at Petitcodiac School were forced to evacuate earlier today.
Anglophone East Spokesperson Stephanie Patterson says the fire alarm was sounded at the K to 12 school and Petitcodiac Fire was called in to investigate.
“The Petitcodiac Fire Chief indicated that there was an issue that caused a room in the school to smell like smoke and advised that students not return into the building until a cause can be adequately assessed and resolved,” Patterson says.
Students were dismissed at 10:30 and sent home.
“They were picked up at the evacuation site indicated in their Operational Plan,” Patterson says.
She adds they are awaiting further details from the Fire Chief.