INUVIK
Classical Rome and Greece moved to the Far North over the weekend, but no one would mistake this cast of characters for Russell Crowe or Joaquin Phoenix.

Marissa Camacho was named firefighter of the year at the annual Inuvik Firefighters Association ball on May 3. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

The Night at the Acropolis firefighters ball looked as if it was a big hit with several people in togas wandering through the audience and a few more dressed as would-be gladiators, but it was still the business of firefighting that took centre stage during the award presentations.

Adam Fortier, resplendent in a full toga that managed to pass the "tasteful" dress code of the gala, took home the trophy for rookie of the year.

That's given to a new firefighter who displays the most enthusiasm and dedication to the department.

Meanwhile, Marissa Camacho, a member of the department for four years, won the firefighter of the year award for the second year running.

"I was very surprised," she said afterwards. "That's why I didn't have a speech prepared.

"It's great to be recognized by the other firefighters and that we're able to see all the good work we've been doing. I'm very happy and very proud."

She first joined to the fire department after hearing rave reviews of it from her husband, who was a member. Camacho also said she loves volunteering, and called being a firefighter "addictive and fun."

"It's part of being involved in the community and I love it so much."

The most amusing part of the awards, though, had to be the somewhat poorly-named "boner of the year" selection.

Three candidates were mentioned, with John Ritchie winning for an error with a fire hose that occurred as firefighters were cleaning up their equipment after a fire.

Ritchie, who is one of the more experienced members of the department, didn't realize Inuvik Fire Chief Jim Sawkins was holding the nozzle of the hose when he decided to turn the water pressure up to nearly full power to clean the hose out.

The surprised Sawkins went for quite a ride with the bucking hose, and it required several firefighters to subdue the line and its handler.

It's likely a good thing Sawkins wasn't in attendance at the ball to hear the story told in public, or some colourful language might have been heard.

An embarrassed Ritchie accepted the award in good humour, but seem relieved that the award would be returning to the department the next day.

The other two nominations didn't quite have the same entertainment value. Both involved drivers who raced out of the station without closing the doors to storage compartments on their vehicles.

In one case, none of the equipment spilled out, but those near the New Stand market were treated to the rare sight of a group of firefighters racing around closing the doors while the truck blocked traffic in the middle of the street with the sirens wailing and lights flashing.

In the third incident, the driver of the rescue vehicle dumped a few items, including a backboard, out of the open storage compartments.

About 175 tickets were sold for the event, which is held to give the public a chance to mingle with the firefighters. The event is not officially sanctioned by the department but operated by the firefighters' association.