Fort Simpson (Feb 10/06) - Ten days after resigning, Pat Rowe and Roger Pilling have returned to their roles as fire chief and deputy fire chief with the Fort Simpson volunteer fire department.

Rowe resumed command on Feb. 2.

"Simpson deserves a fire department," said Rowe.

Pilling, who picked up his radio around noon on Feb. 3, said his wife helped him make the decision to return.

"I couldn't really leave the department and the town hanging," said Pilling.

Their return is part of rebuilding efforts following the week-long dispute between the volunteer fire department and the village administration, which led to the dissolution of the village council.

Rowe and Pilling resigned Jan. 24 over wording on a memo questioning an invoice for snow clearing. Village council was dissolved Jan. 31 following the resignation of four councillors and the village senior administrative officer.

An election for a new village council could be held as early as March 6, said Debbie DeLancey, the deputy minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA).

Despite this election, another election will have to be held at the regularly scheduled time in October. DeLancey said MACA doesn't have the ability to move forward on an election without changing the legislation.

On Monday, Gary Black arrived in the village to take the position of municipal administrator until March 17. He has assumed all duties normally performed by the village council and administration.

"I'm here to ensure that the programs and services continue to be delivered as seamlessly as possible," said Black.

This isn't Black's first time in Fort Simpson. He lived in the village from 1973-1976 while working as the superintendent of education. He was a village councillor and finished a term as mayor around 1974.

Black also volunteered with the fire department. His first fire was when the Sub-Arctic hotel burnt down.

With all the developments in Fort Simpson, DeLancey said the situation is looking better.

"I'm cautiously optimistic," said DeLancey.

Despite returning, Rowe said there is still a lot of issues that need to be worked out.

In the aftermath of the dispute, Rowe said the importance of "active communication" was the lesson learned. The breakdown came after years of increasing frustration levels, he said.

"The memo was the straw that broke the camel's back."

The major issues to be resolved when a new council is elected include the retirement of the chief. Rowe said he is planning to retire in a few years and a plan needs to be put in place to ensure there will be a successor.

This may be difficult because a chief needs 10 to 12 years of experience. In the past, pins were given out for 15 years of service with a fire department, but they've been lucky to hand out five year pins, said Rowe.

Rowe said plans also need to be made for the future as the town grows bigger and developments like the pipeline approach. The department is currently the fifth largest in the NWT and approximately the third busiest, responding to 240 calls in a year, said Rowe.

An addition to the fire hall and a new fire truck are needed to provide proper services, he said.

The fire department is working with MACA to develop a succession plan.

They are also creating a mentoring program with city departments like Yellowknife and Edmonton so volunteer firefighters can gain more experience.