LOWER MAINLAND
REGION: LOWER MAINLAND FIRE PROTECTION – IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR
F
20, Arian is 18, and they are the youngest employees at FirePro. “Arian and Arvin joined the Fire-Pro family with incredible enthusiasm to start their careers in fire protection. They have excelled at working and training alongside senior and
arnaz Shivaei,
experienced technicians and have a bright future ahead”, said
Registered
Patrick Oboril, RFPT, Service Manager, Fire-Pro.
Fire Protection
Technician (RFPT), immigrated family from Iran in 2014 through a skilled worker program as a midwife, seeking a better life for her family in Canada. After a settlement period, Farnaz came to realize that the time and money to upgrade her midwife certifications were not affordable. As with all her professional pursuits, Farnaz sought out an opportunity to continue a career in community service.
Farnaz has taken on an unexpected role of breaking down gender barriers in the field of Fire Protection. She explained that on some job sites, there is surprise and sometimes concern over the fact that a woman is preforming the job of testing and inspecting fire and life safety equipment in a building. At ASTTBC, currently female RFPTs account for only 2% of all registered RFPTs. Farnaz shared, “I have worked in different fields; however I was always looking for a job that serves the beautiful community that welcomed me and my family. Through
Through a friend, Farnaz was introduced to the ASTTBC’s
research I came to this
government funded 7-week Fire Protection Technician Training
knowledge that an RFPT
Program. Karen McDiarmid, Manager of the ASTTBC Fire
career requires all the items
Protection Technician Program commented, “From the get-go,
I’d ever wished for. I’m truly
Farnaz was enthusiastic about working in the fire protection
happy to say I feel more
industry and after graduating from the training program, she
determined every single day
was hired immediately. A year later she continues to add more
of my decision.”
fire protection endorsements to her list of accomplishments.” As a Fire Protection Technician, Farnaz tests and inspects commercial and residential buildings, in accordance with applicable codes and standards. Mo Hashemi, RFPT, Technical Trainer at Vancouver Fire said, “Farnaz is a symbol of determination and resiliency. She is highly ethical, has a great eye for detail and is a real pleasure to work with. Farnaz is smart and passionate about what she does and thereupon, a great asset to our team.”
Photo credit: Jay Fox
CPD OPPORTUNITY: Technical Safety BC Tech Talk - Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing Sechelt, May 28 For more information, please click here.
TECHJOB: Planning & Design Technologist, Fortis BC Surrey For job details, please click here.
Farnaz’s sons, Arian and Arvin, were intrigued by her career pursuit and participated in the final cohort of the ASTTBC Fire
For more TECHJOB postings throughout the province, please
Protection Training Program. They have since graduated and
visit this page.
work together in the same company, Fire-Pro. Both are gaining work experience to apply towards RFPT registration. Arvin is APRIL - JUNE 2019
-7-