Proud legacy in Rankin
Decorated firefighter in third decade of volunteer service
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
RANKIN INLET
Michael Aksadjuak of Rankin Inlet qualifies as royalty in the world of volunteer firefighting.
Nearing 33 years, volunteer Deputy Fire Chief Michael Aksadjuak of Rankin Inlet is the longest serving volunteer firefighter still in active service. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
Aksadjuak, 52, became the first volunteer firefighter in Nunavut to earn the national Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal from then Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean's office in 2008.
He is currently the longest serving volunteer firefighter still in active service.
Aksadjuak will hit 33 years of continuous service as a firefighter this year.
He will also hit the 30-year mark as an ambulance attendant.
He is the recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, and was recently named as the volunteer deputy fire chief in Rankin.
Aksadjuak joined the Rankin Inlet Volunteer Fire Brigade at the age of 18, following a tragic fire that saw a close friend of his perish while trying to escape.
He said he's appreciated every bit of recognition he's received over the years, but it's his love for doing the job and helping his community that keeps him going.
"These days, what I enjoy most is helping my son, George, when he's teaching firefighters," said Aksadjuak.
"I watch him closely when he's teaching and make sure he's doing it right.
"I take a lot of pride in what he's accomplished as a firefighter and an instructor.
"I also enjoy helping the other firefighters get better at what they do and reminding them not to try and be a hero, but to always put safety first when they're fighting a fire."
Aksadjuak knows all too well the dangers of volunteer firefighting, having almost lost his life to an explosion while fighting a fire in Rankin.
He said he will never forget how close he came that day, and realizes how lucky he is to still be on the job.
"I always warn the guys about the dangers of explosive materials such as propane cylinders and I still talk about the explosion that almost got me back in 2007.
"I was maybe four feet from the wall when something exploded and it really stunned me.
"They transported me to the hospital where I passed out and slept for three hours.
"When I woke up I wanted to go right back to work, because somehow I didn't have a scratch on me."
Aksadjuak said he was fortunate to have had good teachers who taught him well during his career.
He said he doesn't know how much longer he'll continue but for now, he's just taking it one day at a time.
"I've been saying I'm going to retire for awhile now but I seem to be stuck.
"I don't know what keeps me here but I keep coming back.
"There's been a few times when people in different communities told me how proud and happy they were to see me in the news being recognized for my years on the job.
"Those moments felt pretty good."
