Nunavut's first Fire marshal visits Kivalliq
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Dec 13/00) - Nunavut has its first full-time fire marshal.
Gerald Pickett assumed the Iqaluit-based position on Sept. 1.
The former Centreville, Newfoundland, resident has more than 30 years firefighting experience behind him.
Pickett visited the Kivalliq Region earlier this month.
He says there's been no surprises for him since he assumed his post.
"I anticipated what I was coming into because I spent a fair amount of time in the western Arctic," says Pickett.
"I'm impressed with the lifestyle up here, but I'm certainly disappointed over the levels of fire protection."
Pickett says proper funding has never been put in place to provide an acceptable level of fire prevention in the communities.
He says Nunavut inherited a sub-par system from the GNWT and it's going to take time to get it where it should be.
"I'm not saying everyone's not trying their best, but I have a pretty good handle on the level of qualified firefighters in the communities and it's way below standards.
"Fire department training will play a big role in bringing that level up.
"You can put all the equipment you want into a community, but it's no good without the people operating it having the proper training."
Pickett says he's in the process of hiring a full-time training officer.
He says finding funding is one of the biggest challenges.
Money for protective helmets, pants, boots, coats and gloves is another high priority.
Pickett says Arviat and Baker Lake were among seven communities to split $140,000 of federal money on new gear.
"Everywhere needs improvement, but the Kivalliq is on par with the other two regions. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of training I witnessed in Rankin Inlet, but we still have a ways to go."
