UQSUQTUUQ/GJOA HAVEN
A 2002 major fire in Gjoa Haven motivated Sean Qitsualik to become a firefighter a few years later, and since then his career has blossomed.
Sean Qitsualik, Gjoa Haven's fire chief, said he was motivated to become a firefighter when a warehouse burned down in the community a few years ago. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo
|
The 28-year-old started as a firefighter four-and-a-half years ago, then became the deputy fire chief two years later before being named the community's fire chief three months ago.
"I was just motivated to help out my community. It's scary but I really enjoy it because there is nothing more I like doing than fighting fires," said Qitsualik.
The motivation became reality a few years after the Qikiqtaq Co-op warehouse burned down in 2002.
"When the co-op store's warehouse had burned down, that's when I became motivated to join the fire department."
Qitsualik, who was born in Yellowknife and raised in Gjoa Haven, said the community has experienced a couple of "big fires that took a long time to put out" while he's been with the department. He said he helped out the community's fire department when they fought large fires.
Qitsualik was in Iqaluit to attend a fire prevention seminar from Jan. 22 to 31, which included developing fire prevention programs for the communities. Each year, firefighters make a couple of trips to the schools to talk about their jobs and raise awareness on fire prevention, he added. Qitsualik said they let the children know not to play with matches or lighters.
"The importance is very high because the more kids we can prevent from playing with matches and lighters, the more buildings or houses we can save," he said. "It hasn't been a big issue but if we keep the awareness around, that way we can at least prevent them from starting fires in our community."
