Inuvik (May 13/05) - It was the fire fighters' turn to take a much deserved break Saturday evening and let their hair down at the annual Firemen's Ball.

Though the event was a party, not a fundraiser for the volunteer association, there was a particular drink that raised some eyebrows and some cash for a new ladder truck, something all members of the department agree would make their jobs a lot safer.

Similar to Dawson City's 'sour toe', the fire department offered its own version but with a different kind of digit for smooching - fire fighter Duane Debastien's severed pinky finger.

While all of this may seem a bit strange to the uninitiated, the drink and the cause are certainly linked, even if Debastien's finger and the rest of his hand aren't anymore.

Last year, Debastien became separated from his pinky while fighting a deliberately-lit fire at the high school's gymnasium.

Because the fire department was without a ladder truck able to reach the gym roof, a bucket truck was brought in as backup.

Unfortunately, as Debastien and a colleague were nearing the rooftop, the machine slipped, crushing Debastien's finger between the bucket and the gym wall.

Brave souls daring enough to kiss the pinky's remains and ingest the drink at the ball provided nearly $500 towards the new truck, expected to cost between $800 thousand and $900 thousand.

Other highlights

Steve Smith was named Fire Fighter of the Year while Candace Seddon-Davies took home Rookie Fire Fighter of the Year honours.

Bruce Ross accepted the Boner of the Year Award for smacking up the front fender of the pumper truck.

The award is generally bestowed upon the member who surpasses his or her colleagues in the category of on-the-job foul-ups, and this year, Ross had some stiff competition.

Assistant Fire Chief Julie Miller was nominated for discharging a fire extinguisher in a fellow fire fighter's face during a safety demonstration of the device.

Volunteer fire fighter Barry Cook was also in the running for melting a truck seat with a high-intensity light and walking across his own handiwork, a freshly painted floor at the station.

As chief Al German reminded those in attendance at Saturday's ball, the Inuvik Volunteer Fire Department is an integral part of the community, staffed by a dedicated bunch who are willing to put it all on the line for the community's protection.