Casey Brouwer – File Photo
By Vanessa Broadbent
Osoyoos Times
Firefighter Casey Brouwer’s service on the Osoyoos Fire Department comes with an added role: chaplain.
With over 25 years spent in fire services, Brouwer’s been certified as an emergency response chaplain through Chaplain Fellowship Ministries International for eight years. He’s served as chaplain with the Osoyoos Fire Department for four years.
“A fire chaplain is one who cares, who is to listen and is to be there,” Brouwer said. “Fire chaplains are usually associated with religious organizations, but their role in the fire service is to be there in time of need regardless of religious creeds or no creeds at all.”
A role he says he’s “honoured to have,” Brouwer’s duties as chaplain include representing the department in the community, officiating weddings and funerals, and providing counselling services to department members and families. Fire department chaplains are also usually responsible for notifying family of injured or killed firefighters.
“Not every situation works out the way we would hope. Within the Fire Services we face challenges all the time, some more challenging than others,” Brouwer said.
“Not everyone knows how to cope or process the things we see or experience. The most difficult part of being a fire chaplain would be seeing the struggle or hurt that a fellow member is going through and not being able to help.”
With the department under new leadership of its first full-time fire chief and the town’s fire master plan completed earlier this year, Brouwer plans to focus more of his time in fire services on his chaplain duties, being more involved in community events and public education.
“This idea of a fire chaplain for Osoyoos is still quite new and I am confident that as we move forward together the role of a fire chaplain within the department will be understood and valued.”
