Fort Res firefighters back in operation
Deputy mayor relieved there were no fires during stop work order
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 5, 2015
DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION
The Fort Resolution volunteer fire department is back in operation after a stop work order was partially lifted, meaning firefighters can now provide a basic form of protection for the community.
Patrick Simon: Deputy mayor of Fort Resolution relieved that community's fire department is back in operation. - |
"I was mighty relieved to hear that news on Friday (Dec. 26)," said Deputy Mayor Patrick Simon of the Hamlet of Fort Resolution.
The department had been shut down since Nov. 19 by a stop work order – believed to be the first ever for an NWT fire department – issued by the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) because of concerns about equipment, training and operational procedures.
Simon said he was informed by hamlet administration that the WSCC order was partially lifted in accordance with the community government's plan to get the department back in business.
That included defensive firefighting training in Hay River before Christmas for 11 members of the department.
Simon said the department's fire truck can now be used.
"We do have the training required to begin at least to lift the order so we can first of all pull out the fire truck," he said.
The department has also received new bunker gear for firefighters to wear.
There were no fires reported in the community while the stop work order was in effect.
"Nothing, thank God," said Simon.
The hamlet's plan for getting the fire department operating properly also involves putting together administrative procedures, policies and a draft bylaw.
Simon said the hamlet has been working with the WSCC, the NWT Fire Marshal's Office, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the Hay River Fire Department.
"Everybody has been very helpful, actually," he said. "If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be so fast."
Simon said the hamlet is looking at increasing its firefighting capabilities, such as using breathing apparatus.
"We're going to talk about it some more and then we're going to see where the next level is and begin to train towards it," he said.
The level of service will be based on the number of people in the community and the amount of expertise, Simon explained.
"We're going to train to a level where we can do as much as we can to a fire."
The deputy mayor said lessons have been learned by the hamlet from the whole process, and it intends to provide more support to the fire department.
The WSCC offices were closed for the holidays, so a spokesperson was unavailable for comment on the status of the stop work order in Fort Resolution.
