DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - A teacher in Fort Providence plans to develop a program he says will benefit both students and volunteer fire departments in small communities.

Christopher Carson hopes to work with the Office of the Fire Marshall to develop a career and technology studies module (CTS) that will teach high school students basic firefighting skills.

Volunteer firefighter Allison Minoza practices discharging a fire hose from a ladder during the NWT Defensive Firefighter course held in Fort Providence. Volunteer Steve Oliver holds the ladder while instructor Jason Panter watches the exercise. - photo courtesy of Christopher Carson

"It's always hard to find volunteers," said Carson, who in addition to being a teacher is also a member of the Fort Providence volunteer fire department.

Carson implemented a modified version of the program during the year at Deh Gah school in Fort Providence. Students ages 16 and older were given the option of earning one work experience or community service credit for participating in 12 of the fire department's weekly practices.

In September, eight students started attending practices and by the end of the year two students, Allison Minoza and Tyler Bonnetrouge, had come to at least 12.

During the practices the students were treated like any other volunteer and learned skills hands on.

Students practiced getting into the bunker gear, setting up hoses and discharging the nozzle.

None of the students were allowed to respond to a fire because volunteers have to be over 18, said Carson.

Once developed, the program will teach basic skills and cover theory about offensively fighting a fire, he said. The program will also include both a practical and theory evaluation, said Carson.

Offering the program in small communities would be a benefit because it would increase awareness about the volunteer and career opportunities related to fire fighting, he said.

"Hopefully they get enough interest to come out as a volunteer," said Carson.

It worked for Minoza when she turned 18. She signed up as a member of the department.

"There's so much stuff they do," she said. "I learned so much being with them."

Minoza said she enjoyed the hands-on nature of the practices. The students were able to help with tasks around the fire hall and sometimes took the hoses out and practiced drafting water.

In June, Minoza took the NWT Defensive Firefighter Course with four other members of the Fort Providence volunteer fire department.

"The practical skills were the most fun part," she said.

The students were a welcomed addition to the Fort Providence team, said Andy Sapp, the volunteer fire chief for the hamlet.

"I thought it was great to get the young kids into this early on," he said.

Sapp supports the idea of developing a program to teach high school students basic firefighting skills.

Any type of exposure in the smaller communities where it's difficult to recruit volunteers is helpful, he said.

"This lets them know there's nothing to be afraid of."

Although Sapp doesn't expect many 18 or 19-year-olds to volunteer the early experience might draw them back when they're more settled in their mid-twenties or early thirties, he said.