Blake Ellis/The Independent

When you think about the first responders heading to an emergency the Canadian Armed Forces may not spring to mind.

But among the first responders filling the parking lot at Lambton College Saturday for Emergency Preparedness Day was The 31st Canadian Brigade Group.

It includes the First Hussars, an armoured reconnaissance reserve unit, based out of Sarnia and London.

Sergeant Cyrus Chapman of London and a recruiter within the unit, said the Canadian Armed Forces have been deployed during a series of emergencies over the years within Canada when wild fires, flooding and ice storms have occurred.

Sergeant Keegan Lester of Sarnia says reservists from Sarnia were deployed during the pandemic as health facilities were struggling to keep up with the demand.

An event like this helps to expose the Canadian Armed Forces to the public, with many young people were able to see the weapons and vehicles used for training.

Lester said the Emergency Preparedness Day gives the unit a chance to tell the public of the opportunities available within the Canadian Armed Forces.

The First Hussars is a reserve unit, Chapman explained, so members of are citizen soldiers who balance their duties with the armed forces with a career or post-secondary school education.

There are three things that are required to sign up to be a reservist, first you must be between the ages of 16 and 57 and have valid photo identification including a drivers’ license or a passport. Prospective recruits also need to show the level of education completed. To become an officer, you need to have completed university.

Next, there are a series of tests a recruit must pass including a physical test, medical test, background check, followed by an interview to see if the person is suitable for the armed forces.

If an individual passes all of these tests, they are enrolled and can be begin their training.

If the recruit is still in high school, they can be enrolled in a half-day paid co-op offered in Sarnia. A full-day co-op program is also available in St. Thomas.

For those no longer in high school, recruits attend sessions every Thursday from 7 to 10 pm, as well as a weekend once a month for training.

A recruit will also have full-time employment during the summer in their first four years.

Currently the First Hussars in Sarnia have between 30 and 50 members with the entire unit having between 110 and 150 personnel.

Chapman said there is room to recruit 15 armoured crewmen as well as 10 for the high school co-op program.

The biggest benefits to joining the First Hussars and being a reservist is the camaraderie within the unit, as well as the physicality and mental toughness that each member develops.

“One of the big benefits is if you are going to college, university or trade school, you can make enough during your employment during the summer months to pay for your schooling, so you can graduate debt free,” said Chapman.

Chapman and Lester have been members of the Canadian Armed Forces between 14 and 15 years. Lester was last deployed overseas to Lebanon, fives years ago.