Yellowknife (Feb 15/06) - The dispute over safety gear comes at a sensitive time for the fire department.

Not only are contract negotiations underway, but a Worker's Compensation Board report into the March 17, 2005 deaths of two firefighters is expected to be complete within the coming weeks.

Veteran firefighter Cyril Fyfe and rookie Kevin Olson died battling a blaze at Home Building Centre. Both men suffocated after being trapped under falling debris when the roof of a shed collapsed under the weight of snow and four other firefighters.

WCB spokesperson Dave Grundy said "the clock is ticking," but a report will be ready before the March 17 deadline passes.

The WCB has a year to produce the report.

The fire marshal, coroner and police have already concluded their investigations, but none of those results will be released until the WCB report is complete.