Firefighters train in Rankin
Chief looks to increase number of courses made available
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
Firefighters from across Nunavut descended upon Rankin Inlet to take their Firefighter Level 1 training earlier this month.
Kelly Kabvitok of Rankin Inlet learns to battle the flames during Firefighter Level 1 training in Rankin this past month. - photo courtesy of Mark Wyatt
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The course ran from Sept. 13 to 22.
Rankin Fire Chief Mark Wyatt said all training done through the Nunavut Office of the Fire Marshal is held in Iqaluit or Rankin Inlet.
He said Rankin is a more central location for many firefighters from outside communities, which makes the logistics easier for everyone involved.
"They didn't hold any training courses in Rankin for the past couple of years, but we've worked closely with the Nunavut Office of the Fire Marshal to have training returned to Rankin since I became chief here," said Wyatt.
"We also held a pump-operations course here immediately following the Level 1 training.
"There will be a lot more training happening in Rankin during the next couple of years, as well."
The Level 1 program saw 22 of the original 25 candidates successfully finish the training.
All 11 participants completed the more advanced pump-operations training, with the minimum requirements being a Class 3 driver's license and the completion of the Level 1 program.
Deputy Fire Marshal Jerry Anilniliak and Assistant Fire Marshal Joanasie Adla of Iqaluit instructed the Level 1 program, while Jim Fairbank of Melville, Sask., facilitated the pump-operations program.
Wyatt said the pump-operations program is a lot more specialized.
He said upon completion, firefighters are able to properly drive and operate the fire trucks, as well as properly operate the pumps.
"For the Firefighter Level 1 program, a participant can expect to go through the entire text book of about 20 chapters for the course.
"The text ranges from communications and personal-protective equipment, to ropes and knots, fire streams, hoses... pretty much everything up to live fire."
Wyatt said it's great to host training programs in Rankin because it gives him the advantage of putting more local firefighters through the courses.
He said having his own firefighters trained locally is also a logistical advantage for the department, in not having to send them away for two weeks and having to pay hotel rooms and other associated costs.
"My top training priority is to have a Firefighter Level 2 course held in Rankin.
"I've got seven members currently waiting to take that course, which I expect will come to Rankin next year.
"We also do a lot of in-house training, and I train to the same standards, so, during the course of a year, our firefighters learn an awful lot about the material they're going to take.
"We sent two members to Iqaluit for the Level 1 course, with one of them having the highest mark in the class with an average of 94 per cent, and we had the top student in the Level 1 course here in Rankin with an average of 99 per cent."
Wyatt said the department is ready to launch a recruit drive in Rankin this week.
He said he'd like to bring another eight firefighters into the Rankin department.
"I'm looking for people who are physically fit, have a Class 5 driver's license and want to help out their community.
"It's an on-call, paid position, so they do get paid when they're called out.
"We're looking for men and women, but I'd like to see more women in our fire department.
"We currently only have three females among our 22 members, so I'd like to raise that number substantially."
