Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 02/99) - Increased fire training saves lives and property.

The GNWT, recognizing this, has launched a comprehensive training program to bring the territory's fire personnel up to international standards.

Bernie Van Tighem is the regional manager of operations for the training program. He's originally from Vermillion, Alta., but has accepted a four-year contract to oversee the training in the Northwest Territories.

"We're going to end up with something that hasn't been duplicated in North America," Van Tighem said.

"This is a territory that has taken the opportunity to build a system that has all the best features of other internationally-accredited fire training programs, with a unique Northern component."

The first group of 20 firefighters, representing 11 NWT communities, are currently training one week a month for eight months in Yellowknife. After finishing in November, they'll be certified trainers themselves.

"The overall intent is to have an internationally- recognized program being delivered by local instructors in their own communities," Van Tighem said.

"Awareness leads to reduced and less significant fire loss, both to people and property. The current core team will be a training team that represents all of the NWT communities."

The training program takes into account the fact that Northern communities are isolated and often don't have a reliable water supply. Also, it recognizes that every department in the NWT is staffed by volunteers except Yellowknife's.

"With this training, everyone in the North will be fighting fires to the same standard," Van Tighem said.

Aklavik fire Chief Sandy Elanik has been enrolled in the training since May. He's thrilled with the course so far and is looking forward to starting his own training program in his home town.

"I've learned more through this course than what I knew before I came," Elanik said.

"That knowledge will be passed on to my staff. The end result of that will be a safer community."

Fort Simpson fire Chief Pat Rowe agrees that the end result of the training will be safer communities.

"This will enhance the training of firefighters throughout the entire Deh Cho region," Rowe said.

"We're here to protect life and property so every time we enhance our training, we can do our job better."