Maria Canton
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 31/99) - Firefighters from around the NWT gathered for the first time in Yellowknife last week to begin initial training from the Alberta Fire Training School.

The 20 firefighters will form a core group of instructor/evaluators, who will then possess the knowledge and ability to train other firefighters in their home communities or other, outside fire departments.

"It involves training and information that we are presently doing, but it takes it further," says Fort Smith fire Chief Darren Linacker.

"We fully support the imitative."

The NWT Fire Chiefs' Association, the Emergency Services Department of MACA and the Alberta Fire Training School have entered into a 10-year agreement to bring fire standards in the NWT up to accreditation standards.

There will be seven training meetings in Yellowknife during the first year under the instruction of Bernie Van Tighem, of the Alberta Fire Training School.

"The goal is to be able to get the territorial process to undergo the same scrutiny that the Alberta process undergoes," said Van Tighem.

The ultimate goal of Van Tighem's training is to achieve the accreditation standards of either the International Fire Service Accreditation College (IFSAC) or the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications (NBFSPQ).

"Everyone will benefit from this training program," said Linacker.

"The whole fire service community in the NWT will be involved. It's very unique."

The instructor/evaluator training process, however, is lengthy and evolutionary.

Van Tighem will be stationed in Yellowknife for four years, which is where the seven meetings of this year will take place.

After four years, the NWT should have enough instructor/evaluators to continue the process on its own.

The NWT has about 350 firefighters, a combination of both volunteer and career.