Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

RANKIN INLET - The Rankin Inlet Fire Department has a few more superpowers.

The local fireman's association recently purchased about $17,000 worth of new high-tech gadgetry to help them do their job, and presented it last Thursday evening during an open house.

Donna and Louise Makayak were on hand for a close-up demonstration of a thermal imaging camera, which can be used to locate people in burning buildings, whether victims or firefighters.

Noah Tiktak, left, and Henry Inukshuk have a laugh over a sheriff's badge at an open house hosted by the Rankin Inlet Fire Department last week. - Karen Mackenzie/NNSL photo

They were impressed by its ability to pick up even the faint heat marks left by a bare hand on the hall.

"This speeds our search up. Even through dense smoke we can see like there's no smoke at all," said fire chief Alan Stebbing.

Twelve new flashlights were acquired at $200 a pop, specially-built to handle hazardous environments and with a light source that cuts through smoke.

A new defibrillator was also purchased for use on non-responsive victims, along with a trainer for fire department staff and volunteers.

"These were all things that were important, but not easily put into the hamlet's budget every year," Stebbing said.

The public also got a chance to tour the station and take a look at the other trucks and tools the department uses.

Maryann Aksadjuak, who has been a volunteer for a little more than a year, also donned a uniform for the small crowd. With oxygen tanks, boots and helmet, the gear weighs upward of 20 kg.

The money for the new equipment was fundraised during events like bingo, according to Stebbing.

"Now people know, when they go to bingo, this is where the money goes," he said.

While it may be common in big southern cities, this type of gear is rare in Nunavut.

"Iqaluit may be the only other community to have it," he said.