.
Search
Email this articleE-mail this story  Discuss this articleWrite letter to editor  Discuss this articleOrder a classified ad

Firefighter enjoys camaraderie

Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Feb 13/04) - As captain and training officer with the Inuvik Fire Department, Julie Miller is used to dealing with emergencies.



Town of Inuvik Fire Department Training Officer and Captain Julie Miller demonstrates the Heimlich manoeuvre with Girl Guide Brittany Waters. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo


Last Tuesday evening, Miller was sharing her know-how with the Inuvik Girl Guides.

"Teaching people how to recognize an emergency and steps to deal with it is part of my job," she said at the second of three sessions with the Guides that includes basic first aid techniques, such as CPR instruction.

The 38-year-old from Southern Ontario has been a firefighter for six-and-a-half years. Miller began as a volunteer firefighter and her interest in the work led her pursue a National Fire Protection Association certification five years ago.

Since then, she has earned her instructors' evaluation certification and become an important member of the Inuvik Fire Department.

"It's a real team effort and I enjoy being a part of it," said Miller of the mostly volunteer force.

"There's a real camaraderie between the officers, volunteers and chief."

While Miller's favourite part of the job is putting out fires, she says the downside is seeing the devastation.

"I love firefighting but the worst thing about the job is walking into a home after a fire has been put out and seeing things like burned photographs and knowing that somebody has lost everything. That's hard," she said.

However, as public education is the department's mandate, Miller hopes her efforts will lower the chances that her firefighting services will be required.

As for her future as a firefighter, Miller says she hopes to further her knowledge in the area of fire investigation.