Top awards won by Nunavut firefighters
Medals for exemplary service given to four individuals
Jessica Davey-Quantick
Northern News Services
Monday, August 22, 2016
IQALUIT
Four Nunavut firefighters were presented with awards for exemplary service on Aug. 5.
Chris Wilson, Wesley Totalik and Joanasie Adla were each awarded a Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal while Luc Grandmaison was presented with the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal 1st Service bar.
"What would we do without volunteers? What would we do without our volunteer firefighters? A thought none of us want to think about," said Justice Neil Sharkey in his opening remarks on behalf of the Commissioner of Nunavut. "You have put others ahead of yourselves to keep us safe from harm. You put your life in danger every time you get a call and you give yourselves completely to that risk on our behalf.
"From the depths of our hearts we, Nunavumiut, thank you with such gratitude and honour, because you are absolutely vital in our communities."
Chris Wilson joined the Iqaluit Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in 1994 and has served 13 consecutive years on the fire department executive, establishing many of the outreach, fund-raising and Canada Day community events still celebrated each year. He's known as the department's unofficial historian, and through establishing activities and programs within the department, mentored many current volunteers.
Wesley Totalik is the current fire chief in Taloyoak. He joined the Taloyoak Fire Department in 1995, serving as chief for most of his 21 years in the fire service. He's a Nunavut-certified Firefighter Level 1 & 2 and has trained as a fire officer, pump operator, fire service instructor, fire inspector, as well as taking training in fire investigation and fire prevention. He is also an active member of Search and Rescue and leads many searches.
Joanasie Adla first started volunteering with the Iqaluit Fire Department in 1995, before becoming a career firefighter and emergency medical technician in 2006. Before he left the department in 2015, he trained as a fire officer, pump operator, drager service technician and took fire prevention courses through the office of the fire marshal. After he left the Iqaluit Fire Department he joined the Office of the Fire Marshal, where he is presently the assistant training officer.
Luc Grandmaison is the current fire chief for the Iqaluit Fire Department, starting his career as a volunteer firefighter in the Edmunston Fire Department in 1984. He became a full-time firefighter and ambulance attendant in 1986, and by 1994 was deputy fire chief in charge of prevention and training with Dieppe Fire Department, taking over as chief in 1996, before becoming fire chief in Roberval in 2003. He was an instructor and examiner with the Quebec National Firefighting School and took over as fire chief in Iqaluit in 2012. Over his career, in addition to assisting with training and providing open houses at stations and promoting fire prevention in communities, he was also president of the New Brunswick Fire Chiefs Association from 1999 to 2001. Before receiving this award, he also received the Fire Service Exemplary Service Medal in 2005 and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002.
"My sincere congratulations to the brave individuals who are being recognized for their contributions to this dangerous line of work - we are very proud of you for your love and kindness and for putting others before yourselves. You are being recognized for your exemplary service, we are very proud of you and well deserved," stated Sharkey.
At the ceremony, the six firefighters who have been selected to compete in the National Firefighter's Competition were announced. Hosted by the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada, the event took place on Aug. 13, hosted by the Six Nations of the Grand River.
Atsaina Eeyeevadlok of Kimmirut, Andrew Jr. Iqalukjuak and Steven Iqalukjuak of Clyde River, Jordan Mansbridge of Arviat, Lutie Mucpa of Pond Inlet and Glen Sutherland of Kugaaruk competed for Team Nunavut.
At the end of the competition, Team Nunavut placed fifth with 260 competition points but, more importantly, it won the Max McNeill Award for Most Sportsmanlike Team.
