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 Members of the Community Emergency Response Team are constantly updating their training. Mike Lowing of the Yellowknife Fire Department helps Tony Clarke, a member of the team, douse a fire during an extinguisher exercise, Monday. - photo courtesy of CERT NWT |
The need for qualified emergency responders is growing in the North.
So much so that at under two years old, one organization is already expanding.
The Community Emergency Response Team for the NWT started in 2003 with a group of four members trained in first aid, disaster management and various emergency procedures.
This summer the team launched a recruitment drive to build its ranks from seven active members to 14 by January 2005.
"We're expanding our responsibilities so we have to expand our trained individuals," says Tony Clarke, operations coordinator for the team.
Some of the team's responses include the Norman Wells fire of 2003, joining Yellowknife Search and Rescue on a search and providing trained individuals for the recent Multisport Adventure Race.
"Every time we are called out, we're an asset to the group who called us out, not a liability," says Clarke.
Joining the non-profit group is no easy task. Basic training takes seven nights and a full weekend. Members may only join in on emergency responses once they complete more extensive search and rescue and first aid training. That takes four months.
"You've got to have a high level of training in a lot of areas," says Clarke.
"It takes a long time to train a new member," he says.
Clarke doesn't expect military and other experts to flock to the team, adding that current members include a chef and an office clerk.
Sense of humour
The response team is looking for people with good character, no criminal record and of course, a sense of humour.
"There are times when we're working 30-40 hours straight. If you don't have that sense of humour, you're not going to last," he says.
The team keeps its training fresh with once-a-week meetings and full weekend exercises once every two or three months.
It just completed a fire extinguisher drill, Monday, with the Yellowknife Fire Department.
