Yellowknife (Dec 20/06) - Deputy fire chief Darcy Hernblad successfully completed a court-ordered competency test - one that he was ordered to take after charges in relation to the deaths of two firefighters were stayed in October.

Hernblad was the commanding officer when a saw shed caught fire at the Home Building Centre on March, 17, 2005.

Deputy fire chief Darcy Hernblad, seen here at the department in February, 2006, passed a competency test that he was ordered to take through a deal with the Worker's Compensation Board after two firefighters under his command died while battling a shed fire in 2005. - NNSL file photo

Yellowknife firefighters Cyril Fyfe and Kevin Olson died after the shed's roof and four other firefighters on top collapsed on them

Hernblad had ordered four firefighters onto the roof to cut ventilation holes in it. The weight of the men and snow, combined with poor shed construction, collapsed the roof down and on top of the two firefighters inside.

On Oct. 6, Hernblad was ordered to take a competency test after the City of Yellowknife and the Workers' Compensation Board (WBC) negotiated an alternative measures agreement rather then pursuing charges in court.

The competency panel looking into Hernblad's case was made up of two retired fire chiefs. The WCB appointed Jack Henderson, who now works as a consultant in Ontario, while the city appointed former Calgary fire chief Wayne Morris.

The panel's conclusion reads in part: "Based on the results, it is therefore concluded that Mr. Hernblad demonstrated that he possesses the knowledge and skill sets required to perform the duties as an incident commander during a fire emergency."

City Administrator Max Hall did not want to make a comment to Yellowknifer on Tuesday.

However, in a press release he stated, "Mr. Hernblad continued to perform his duties as a manager at the fire hall after charges were laid against him. I commend him for his dedication and strength of character."

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said that Hernblad was relieved to have gone through the competency process.

"When you have an opportunity to sit down with two national experts in your trade and they say you are doing a good job, how can a person have a better feeling than that?" he said.

"Questions were asked and now the answers have been answered."

Neither the city or Hernblad have publicly taken responsibility for Fyfe or Olson's death.

The city and Hernblad previously faced two charges under the NWT Safety Act for failing to ensure the dead men's safety and to provide adequate training.

Identical charges against former fire chief Mike Beauchamp were stayed in July after he retired from the department.

As part of the deal with the WCB, the city must also put $300,000 into a fire department safety training fund next year. The money is to be spent over 10 years.

Craig Halifax, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters local 2890, was away in Edmonton this week, and wasn't aware that Hernblad had passed his test.

When contacted, he said he could not comment on the competency decision until he comes back to Yellowknife and reads the panel's decision.

In October, Halifax said firefighters were unhappy that Hernblad had been given nine months to complete the competency test.

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

Neither fire chief Reid Douglas or Hernblad could be reached for comment.