Some volunteer firefighters returning to Charlie Lake

Five or six of the firefighters have taken their pagers back, with others expected to do the same once Munshaw returns from Kimberley in May. Munshaw says the situation on Sunday had to happen for them to get their message across to the Peace River Regional District, and he now hopes they can move on and rebuild.

"They're returning for their right reasons, factored into the community," he says, "and they're doing it for the true heart and desire to move forward, which is great."

He says communication has been key, and the volunteers needed to get to know him and what he's all about. They'd been worried about working under two Chiefs they hadn't built trust with yet, but meeting with him has helped start building that relationship.

"That's the place you have to start," says Munshaw, "good communication, good effort, and then understanding how this is going to work. Once you've had that point where sides have been heard, now this amend is starting to form and we're able to now focus on that new group."

Munshaw hopes that when he starts back at work in May, there will be 15 pagers out, with more as volunteers return and sign up. In addition to the returning members, a dozen new volunteers have signed up. Although there's a lengthy training period, those with experience will be fast tracked. There are still some members that won't be returning, for various reasons, whether it's simply time to hang up their helmet or the situation has caused too much hurt to get over.

"The dynamics had to transpire," Munshaw believes, "and I think I've done my best job to get people on board that are able to say, 'okay, I'm willing to give him that shot he asked for. I can see who you are and I'm willing to do that'."

For the rest of April, Assistant Fire Chief Stuart Larson will be in charge. In addition to the current member roster, four men from Northwest Fire, an external company, have been hired and are in Fort St. John to be on call 24/7 for at least the next three weeks. Fort St. John and Taylor Fire Departments are also able to support in the case of a fire.