Pelly Bay (Feb 07/05) - Buildings in Kugaaruk rarely reach above two storeys, but firefighters everywhere in Nunavut still need to have the skills to fight fires wherever they break out.

For five days last month, eight men completed Level One firefighter training in Kugaaruk. The program is offered by the Municipal Training Organization (MTO), a Nunavut-based organization committed to training Nunavummiut where they live.

"I think everyone enjoyed it. It went really well," said Vince Ningark, who took the training in Kugaaruk, Jan. 10-14. The firefighters even used Ningark's house at one point for the ladder-climbing portion of the course.

"They are better equipped to do their jobs. The community benefits. Before, they weren't getting trained, or it may have been one person training them. This way, more people are trained and they get certification so they can take other courses," said Aseena Allurut, MTO manager.

The courses are designed for the North, so there is no need to focus on large scale building fires, or anything involving trees (forest fires), said Allurut.

"They learn how to put out house fires, fires in abandoned houses, and fires in vehicles.

"They wouldn't go into a two-storey house, but they would have to put out a fire in an abandoned house."

Sure enough, Ningark, along with Adam Pudjarjdok, Frankie Immingark, Jeffrey Sikkuark, Nick Sikkuark, Walter Kringorn, Eric Amutinuar and Adam Krejuark had to enter a smoke-filled house and put out the stubborn blaze as part of their course.

The course was offered in Gjoa Haven on Jan. 17 and will be offered in Iglulik, Whale Cove and Repulse Bay this month. Sanikiluaq will get the training in March.