Yellowknife (Oct 13/06) - Yellowknife firefighters are at risk because their deputy fire chief has been given nine months before he has to be tested for competency, said union president Craig Halifax.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem:Time for all parties to move forward.

Charges against the city and deputy fire chief Darcy Hernblad were stayed in NWT Territorial Court last Friday in an agreement with the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) that will see $300,000 put aside over 10 years to train command firefighters. The competency exam for Hernblad was another condition.

"If there's a question about deputy chief Hernblad's competence, then why are the firefighters possibly being put at risk until such time that an evaluation is done?" said Halifax, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters local 2890.

"We see that as an unnecessary risk to be taking with the lives of the firefighters at any time, especially with what's happened over the last 19 months."

Hernblad was in command of the scene when firefighters Cyril Fyfe and Kevin Olson died fighting a fire in a saw shed at Home Building Centre on March 17, 2005. He had ordered four firefighters onto the shed's roof to cut ventilation holes, which subsequently collapsed on Fyfe and Olson, who were inside.

The WCB laid charges under the NWT Safety Act for failing to provide adequate safety training and taking reasonable precautions in the deaths of Fyfe and Olson.

Shortly after he was charged in March 2006, Hernblad was promoted to acting fire chief to replace Mick Beauchamp, who stepped down after also being charged under the Safety Act. Charges against Beauchamp were later stayed.

Aside from the nine-month window for the competency evaluation, Halifax said firefighters are generally in support of the agreement. They are somewhat skeptical of the city's willingness to carry it out, however.

The city had lots of opportunity to ensure fire hall commanders were properly evaluated before and after the 2005 fire, but that has yet to happen, said Halifax.

"We feel that aspect of the agreement is good. (The competency) will be addressed, but our concern is that it's being dragged out longer than it should," said Halifax.

"Our guys are being put at risk for the next however many months until this is completed."

Hernblad, who has been a deputy fire chief for almost three years, said he wasn't aware firefighters had any concerns about his ability to command a fire scene.

"I talk to the firefighters on a daily basis," said the 21-year veteran.

"Everybody seems to be in a pretty good mood. It seems to be a pretty good working relationship."

If it were up to him, he would take his competency evaluation right away, he said.

When asked if he felt up to command, he said, "without a doubt."

Mayor Gord Van Tighem brushed aside the firefighter union's criticisms, saying it's time for all parties to move forward.

He said there were never any questions raised about Hernblad's leadership before the accident. The mayor said Hernblad will have his competency evaluation, "ASAP."

"Everything has been under a microscope for a year-and-a-half and Craig is front and centre," said Van Tighem.

"He can continue to analyze and complain about it or he can work along with everyone else for the benefit of his union, and make this work," said Van Tighem.

"(Hernblad's) testing process is going to identify his competency or show some shortcomings, which will get fixed."