Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 21/98) - The phone will be ringing in the homes of 12 hopeful newcomers to the Yellowknife volunteer fire department during the first week of September as their volunteer training time fast approaches.

Deputy Fire Chief of operations Sandy McPhee has been training Yellowknife volunteer firefighters for the past decade and says he's looking forward to initiating this year's recruits.

"We follow a training format laid out by the Alberta Fire Training School in Vermilion, Alta.," says McPhee.

"It consists of an introductory level of equipment knowledge and a basic introduction of the department and its activities."

McPhee says among the things volunteers can expect during their training is an introduction into the use of self-contained breathing apparatus, ropes, ladders and other basic equipment.

He says the training program runs over two weekends, eight hours a day, and then an additional two or three weekends of familiarization with the department's policies, procedures and public- education programs.

"On a different weekend after the volunteers complete their training, they'll be given a test which takes about five hours to complete," says McPhee.

"The test is about 60 per cent written, or multiple choice, and 40 per cent practical."

During their training, volunteers will also receive basic instruction on the proper care and maintenance of their protective clothing, and how to handle basic equipment such as axes and ladders.

"Basically, we teach them things like how to properly pick these items up and carry them around so they won't hurt themselves or anybody else," says McPhee.

Anyone over the age of 19 with a valid driver's licence, good driving record and a solid background may apply for a volunteer position.

McPhee says during his time as training officer, he's had about 10 per cent of hopeful volunteers drop out of training.

"Some do find that it's just too demanding physically or mentally, but most just find that it's too time demanding.

"A lot of times it's someone's job requirements. Because the training is stretched over five weekends and the examiners are brought in from out of town, we have to have 100 per cent training attendance from everyone."

Training for this year's volunteers is expected to start on or about Sept. 26.