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KIVALLIQ/RANKIN INLET - A total of 12 Kivalliq volunteers received their Level 1 firefighting course in Rankin Inlet this past month.

The Kivalliq volunteer firefighters who completed the course are Arsene Aggark, Barney Aggark and Matthew Rudkin of Chesterfield Inlet, Evano Jr. Aggark and Vanna Myles Mamgark of Arviat, Roger Aksadjuak and Johnny Aupilardjuk of Rankin, Naudla Enaupik of Whale Cove, Ray Netser of Coral Harbour and Nathan Kingilik, Lianna Pattunguyak and Brian Pudnak of Baker Lake.

Oqituq Kingwatsiak and Nallie Manning of Cape Dorset also completed the Level 1 course, which was facilitated by Mike Wood of Vermillion, Alta., and Kivalliq regional fire prevention officer Al Smith of Rankin.

Ambrose Karlik (pump operator assistant) and Michael Aksadjuak (assistant instructor) of Rankin also helped deliver the program.

Smith said the group of volunteers did well during the 10-day course.

He said among the areas covered were fire-ground operations, personal protective equipment, basic ropes and knots and dealing with A, B, C and D Class fires.

"The course featured both classroom and practical instruction," said Smith.

"During their time on the training grounds, the volunteers were exposed to the proper way of dealing with car and structural fires, search-and-rescue techniques, proper use of ladders and ventilation techniques."

A total of 25 firefighters will be in competition later this month in Rankin.

They will be vying for six spots up for grabs on Team Nunavut's entry at the 2008 National Aboriginal Firefighting Competition from Aug. 19-24 in Hobbema, Alta.

Nunavut was named the Most Sportsmanlike Team at the past two events and hopes to move up the team standings this year.

Smith said while every Kivalliq hamlet has a good firefighting crew, they can always use more members.

"With the high turnover rate we see in the communities, it's always a challenge for us to have our volunteers properly trained.

"Some simply get bored with it, while others get full-time jobs or move away.

"We try to run at least two or three Level 1 courses each year in Nunavut, as well as one Level 2 course and officer's training.

"We'll be holding a Level 2 course here in Rankin this coming September."