RANKIN INLET - Thirteen volunteer firefighters from across Nunavut completed their Level 2 training in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Andy Ohoilak, back, gives Joanasie Etuangat a little help with his gear before the start of a fire exercise during a Level 2 firefighting course in Rankin Inlet in October of 2010. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

RDK Consulting's Jim Fairbank of Melville, Sask., instructed the program.

Fairbank delivered a Level 1 program in Rankin this past August.

He said seven of those Level 1 graduates returned to Rankin for the 10-day Level 2 training.

"Getting your Level 1 and Level 2 this close together is common," said Fairbank.

"In fact, down south, they would do their Level 1 and Level 2 training right after each other.

"I was honestly impressed with the performance of those who returned for their Level 2 training in Rankin.

"They're doing exceptionally well, and their marks went up about 10 or 15 per cent from their Level 1 training."

Fairbank said he always hopes firefighters who receive their Level 2 training pass that information on to those less experienced when they return to their home community.

He said it's becoming more and more challenging to attract volunteer firefighters right across the country.

"Level 2 training steps up a notch in the way the firefighters do things.

"We look at more of the incident commander's roles for these guys, so, it's not just learning the basics anymore, but taking those basics and utilizing them in the field.

"They're put into a similar role as that of a captain on a fire ground during their training.

"We're not trying to make captains out of them yet, but we want them to see that perspective."

Fairbank said the same material is taught during the Rankin course as anywhere else in North America, although he does stress the proper way to handle hoses and maintain vehicles in extreme temperatures. He said the idea is to prepare them for a worst-case scenario of a fire at -40 C or -45 C.

"The course is a combination of homework assignments, two written tests on the theory side of things, and the performance of all practical skills required to complete the training.

"The percentage of those who pass the programs in Nunavut is actually a little above average.

"We're looking at a 100 per cent pass rate in this particular program and it doesn't get any better than that.

"In the south, we average a 90 to a 95 per cent pass rate."

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