Arviat (Mar 19/03) - Even the best equipment doesn't make up for a lack of training.

It is for that reason Nunavut's fire training officer Don Corbett is trying to bring a firefighter training course to every Nunavut community.

So far 10 of the 26 communities in the territory with fire departments have taken advantage of the training.

"Our goal is to do one community every month," said Corbett.

The training focuses on topics ranging from classes of fires, to the proper use of equipment, to life saving techniques.

"I think it's very effective they come out of the training with a lot more fundamentals," said Corbett.

Better training means safer communities, he added.

"It's great to have all the tools and equipment, but if you don't how to use it you're not doing it safely," Corbett said.

In November the training was conducted in the hamlet of Arviat.

Approximately 16 of the 23 Arviat fire fighters attended the training.

Fire chief Robert Ulayok said the training was extremely beneficial to the members of his department.

"It helped a lot," he said.

He went on to say that he would recommend the training to other communities to help develop their fire fighters.

Corbett said beginning March 3 the training will go to two communities back to back.

The first will be Repulse Bay followed by Coral Harbour. Corbett said it is a challenge trying to get out to every community and he always has to make sure there are enough people willing to participate.

The course requires there to be at least eight firefighters participating to be effective.

Corbett said he usually gets between eight and a maximum of 12.

But, at times, he does have some exceptional turn outs.

In Pond Inlet 15 fire fighters attended for the entire duration of the course, something Corbett said doesn't happen very often.

"These guys should be a model for all of Nunavut," he said.

Aside from good attendance he said the entire structure and discipline of the department is exemplary.

"Everyone should emulate what they do," he said.