Cambridge Bay (Mar 06/06) - The Cambridge Bay fire chief says hamlet "negligence" is turning the hamlet into a fire hazard

"It is just senseless negligence," said Peter Laube.

Peter Laube, on behalf of the whole department, filed a letter with mayor Michelle Gillis on Feb. 26 outlining their long list of concerns.

The high school gymnasium had three doors that would not open. They had a sign that said "Do not open, waiting for parts." That sign stayed in place - with the doors unable to open - for three months, Laube said.

"We had to threaten to shut down the gym. They just ended up taking the hardware out of the doors," said Laube.

He has called for fire detectors and auto-diallers in all hamlet buildings, but to no avail.

"That's your first line of defence," exclaimed an incredulous Laube. He added that the fire in the community hall could have been nipped in the bud if there had been a fire detector in place.

The old health centre - still active as part of the transition to the new Kitikmeot Health Centre - is even in worse shape, said Laube.

"That old health centre, the pump (for the sprinkler system) has been laying in parts for four or five years," said Laube.

The fire panel in the hamlet office has been on the fritz for seven years, he said. When Laube approached the SAO with his concerns, "I got swore at," said Laube.

When Laube went to the elementary school to drop off some fire safety literature, he learned that it was needed.

"Every door except one was blown shut (with snow). The door that worked could only open halfway. Two-hundred and forty kids went in through that door," said Laube.

"I had to threaten to shut the school down and go to the RCMP. The building maintainer's excuse was that the janitor didn't show up that day. When my employees don't show up, I have to do their job," said Laube.

The large water tanks that have been converted to fuel tanks overlook the hamlet, near the water. Laube is amazed that the rotten tanks haven't ruptured yet.

"We shouldn't have to go to these drastic measures," said an obviously frustrated Laube. He resigned over the concerns about four or five months ago, but the hamlet and the SAO asked him to stay on, he said.

"We have a lot of people who quit, and even more that won't come to meetings. They will come to a fire, but we talk about these issues in our meetings, and they are sick of it," said Laube.

The department is made up of 18 volunteers, and runs two pumper trucks and a rescue unit.

The fire hall in Cambridge Bay is in complete disarray, and has been for over five years, Laube said.

"They won't acknowledge it. The drywall is falling down, there is mould in the walls, and water running through the light fixtures," said Laube.

He has been hounding the hamlet to make changes, but doesn't approve of their approach to maintenance.

"The switch (that operates the large doors for the fire trucks) would shut off from the water. Instead of fixing the leak, they put in a waterproof switch," said Laube.

The bay door will not shut completely, leaving snowdrifts in the hall, he said. The slippery conditions resulted in at least one close call. Two firefighters slipped under the rescue unit during a call, and were nearly run over by the truck, he said.

That bay door has been a source of recurring nightmares for the fire chief.

"We had an old wooden door and after one year of complaining, they bought us a new one. Then they didn't install it for two years. Eventually we did it ourselves," said Laube.

Even if the door works, the trucks and rescue unit are not guaranteed a clear path. Snow removal is another issue between the hamlet and the fire department.

According to Laube, the hamlet cleans the snow from in front of the sewer truck and water truck doors. The fire department is in the same building - a large garage with six doors - but their doors are left covered with snow.

"I've even seen hamlet employees shovelling in front of other employees' homes," said Laube.

"They won't even fix the weather stripping under our doors," said Laube.

Gillis would not comment until she had a chance to meet with senior administrative officer Mark Calilou, who is travelling and wasn't back before News/North's deadline.