LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Volunteer firefighters in Fort Simpson participated in the NWT Defensive Firefighting Course from Oct. 15 to 18.

Volunteer firefighter Caitlin Jaffray (on ladder) sprays water and is safely heeled by Justin Byatt while Michael Blyth keeps watch during a firefighter-training course in Fort Simpson on Oct. 17. - photo courtesy of Scott Cameron

The course is designed to teach firefighters the basic safety skills involved in responding to a fire alarm and how to contain a fire, according to the Office of the NWT Fire Marshal.

Fort Providence volunteer firefighter Chris Carson instructed the four-day course.

Communities offer the programs on demand, he said.

There were 12 participants when the course began, but only four finished, Carson said.

"That happens in these types of courses, unexpected things come up," he said.

Carson said in addition to learning basic skills, completing the course is a stepping stone towards level 1 firefighting certification.

Once students complete the defensive course and obtain their Northwest Territories community firefighter's certificate, they are then eligible to participate in additional courses.

"Those four courses can lead to certification as a level 1 firefighter," Carson said.

Volunteering and earning certification by taking courses offered through the fire department is an alternative to taking firefighting courses through a college, he said.

Some college firefighting programs can cost more than $10,000.

"By doing it this way, they can get the courses they need and serve the community," he said.

Participant Michael Blyth has been a volunteer firefighter in Fort Simpson for the past six years. Conflicting schedules prevented him from taking the course, so this is his first time participating. He said some of the most important lessons he learned included how to keep his fellow firefighters safe in dangerous situations and how to become faster with firefighting equipment.

Blyth said he believed the course was valuable for all volunteer firefighters.

"It's a good way to get basic skills," he said. "If I were in command, I would want them to take this course."

Participants spent the four-day course learning about how fires behave and how to respond to an alarm, among other subjects.

Usually exams are written immediately following the course, but an examiner was not available this week. Instead, participants will complete their exam next week, Carson said.

"It's good for them because it gives them a chance to study the binder instead of just four straight days of cramming," he said. "Now they have some time to actually study the theory."

Once the students complete their exam, they will receive a Northwest Territories community firefighter's certificate. They must receive at least 70 per cent to pass.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.