The men -- from several communities across the NWT -- are the first class to take a five-day, 40-hour training program with the Yellowknife fire department.

The men completed the basic volunteer firefighter training course designed by the fire marshal's office with the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

They also received training in extinguishing fires, something that isn't usually part of the course on the city fire hall's propane tree -- flammable gas simulator.

"We usually don't get involved in fire situations" (for the basic volunteer firefighter training course), said Jeff Steinwand, a member of the Yellowknife fire department who was the instructor for the course.

With no written exam, the program consisted mostly of practical exercises.

"It was mostly hands-on so they can go back with hands-on experience," said Steinwand.

A joint venture between the fire department and YCC, the program worked well to give the inmates training they can use when they are released, said YCC warden Ron Near.

"The idea of the program was that the inmates were able to take something positive when they are released," he said. "It will be something to add to the resume."

Near said that these were the goals that he had in mind eight months ago when the idea for the project came up in a conversation with Yellowknife deputy fire chief Mike Lowing.

Time will tell, he said, if it will be a success. "They all say they will be applying to become volunteer firefighters when they return to their communities," Near said.

They are now looking for ways to expand the program to include first aid and CPR training for the inmates.

Near said experience elsewhere suggest that such programs improve the attitudes of the inmates while they are in custody and give them training to find work when they leave the correctional facility.