YELLOWKNIFE - The Feb. 4 deaths of two Winnipeg firefighters was doubly difficult for Yellowknife fire crews.

Capt. Harold Lessard 55, had 31 years' experience firefighting. Below, Capt. Thomas Nichols, 57, had 32 years' experience firefighting.- photos courtesy of United Firefighters of Winnipeg union

Just back from memorial services for Tom Nichols, 57, and Harold Lessard, 55, city Fire Chief Reid Douglas and firefighter union president Craig Halifax, say it was important to make the trip to Winnipeg.

"That's just the way the fire service is, we try to support each other," said Douglas.

He was a member of the Winnipeg department for 26 years and worked with both Nichols and Lessard for eight.

Halifax said the Winnipeg deaths re-opened the wounds suffered when Cyril Fyfe and Kevin Olson died when a shed roof collapsed on them in March 2005.

"You could definitely tell there was a somber mood around the department," said Halifax. "A lot of people were reliving and remembering the experience from what happened here."

The Yellowknife department didn't hesitate with their support, especially coming up to the second anniversary of their loss, said Halifax.

"It hit close to home," he said. "(There is) no doubt that we needed to have some representation there for our fallen firefighters."

Solidarity has always been a big part of firefighting, he continued.

"There is a huge trust that has to be shared amongst all firefighters," Halifax said.

"You hear it being called a brotherhood but unless you're part of the profession you can't really understand 100 per cent what it's like."

It goes far beyond separate departments as well, said Douglas.

"Winnipeg came up here when Cyril and Kevin were killed in the accident."

Halifax was able to give special support to the Winnipeg firefighters as a result of his recent first-hand experience with the death of two colleagues.

"I spent a fair bit of time with some of the firefighters there and talked about what they could expect after everyone left Winnipeg."

Halifax's contribution was very much appreciated by the Winnipeg firefighters, said Alex Forrest, president of the Winnipeg firefighters' union.

"Craig offered his experiences that, as hard as it is right now, we will get through this," he said.

The fact that Douglas, a former Winnipeg firefighter came meant a lot as well, said Forrest.

Coming up to the two-year anniversary of their comrades' deaths, the Yellowknife fire department's healing is continuing, said Halifax.

The department is presently undergoing a new training program, said Douglas, and it is helping everyone move forward.

"Although they'll never put it behind them," said Douglas, "I think they realize it's time to move on."

"That would be the most fitting tribute to Kevin and Cyril - to make this department better because of their sacrifice."