John Curran
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 14, 2008

RAE-EDZO - Delays in attacking the Jan. 3 fire on Behchoko's Weda Tili were due in part to problems with the department's truck.

Several residents and a visitor to the community complained to News/North that the volunteer fire brigade was slow in setting up to fight the fire and that members appeared disorganized at the scene.

This Weda Tili residence caught fire two weeks ago for the second time since October. Some people in Behchoko were critical of the volunteer fire department's response time when the latest blaze broke out, but Chief Leon Lafferty said there were problems with the truck. - John Curran/NNSL photo

"There were mechanical problems with the fire truck," said Behchoko Chief and former volunteer firefighter Leon Lafferty. "It's since been sent out to Edmonton for repairs."

The department is now using an older vehicle while the new one is in the shop, he added.

Lafferty has 26 years experience fighting fires - including 21 years as the community's fire chief - and though he is no longer officially part of the department, he still helps out where and when he's able.

"I've even driven the truck to three of the last seven fires," he said. "It gets in your blood and you can't really ever walk away."

The community has been plagued by a recent rash of youth-set fires and the RCMP estimate seven of the eight fires around Behchoko since the fall are likely cases of arson.

Children in Behchoko are no different than those from anywhere else, said Whati's Alfonz Nitsiza, chairperson of the Tlicho Community Services Agency.

"They want attention," he said.

"Young people in all small communities need something to do or they could get into trouble."

Several Tlicho citizens have complained the prolonged closure of the Khon Go Cho Sportsplex due to ongoing renovations has left Behchoko youth with too much time on their hands, but Lafferty isn't buying that excuse.

"All of the fires have happened after 11 p.m.," he said. "The Sportsplex would have been closed at that time anyway."

As well, an extensive recreation program is being delivered with facilities and activities available in Rae and Edzo, said Lafferty, adding the problem is the youth simply aren't showing up.

There are some parents in the community who are spending too much time going to bingos in Yellowknife, he said.

Even when children are left with proper babysitters, he said they often aren't able to take part in the sports and other healthy activities hosted around Behchoko.

"The youth are crying out for attention and it's not from their political leaders," he said. "They want attention from their families."

Lafferty said it's also time for the youth setting the fires around the community to face the full consequences of their actions.

"Arsonists of any age should be treated as adults by the courts," he said. "Arson is arson - you could kill people."