IQALUIT - Late at night, with lights dimmed and sirens silenced, emergency vehicles barely make a stir as they make their way through town.

But with more than 1,200 calls in the last year alone, the Iqaluit fire station is rarely still, according to volunteer firefighter Michael Chappell.

Pauloosie Nuyalia stands suited up next to one of Iqaluit's fire trucks. Nuyalia has been a volunteer with the Iqaluit Fire Department for seven years, and hopes to see more residents join during this year's recruitment drive. - Karen Mackenzie/NNSL photo

"Most people have no idea how much work is done," he said.

Attending to nearly every fire call are volunteers like Pauloosie Nuyalia, a seven-year veteran of the service.

Nuyalia, who grew up around Apex, is currently the only volunteer to be promoted to lieutenant rank.

"It's a way to keep fit, give back to the community and we have a lot of pride in our department," he said. "There's a sense of professionalism and it builds leadership."

Nuyalia said he goes on four or five major calls a year, and regularly attends the Iqaluit Fire Department's weekly training sessions.

A big part of his work - which also includes a position as president of the Iqaluit Firefighters Association - is fundraising for local causes such as the women's shelter, minor hockey or Toonik Tyme.

"Dedication, commitment and consistency. That's what you need to have," Nuyalia said.

"He's definitely the most dedicated volunteer here. He's around here more than everyone else," said Jamie Kennedy, one of the department's staff firefighters.

Kennedy also joined the department as a volunteer a couple years ago, but quickly made the decision to "go career."

After working for a time as station dispatcher, he went for further training in the field.

"If you're looking for a bunch of buddies, you know we've always got your back," he said. "There's no line drawn between volunteers and staff either."

This Tuesday evening, June 17, the station will host an open house as part of its annual recruitment drive.

Chappell said he hopes to see a lot of new faces come out, and stressed that both men and women regularly volunteer as firefighters.

"We're always recruiting, always inviting people to come in," he said.