Attempts are being made to recruit members to Fort ResolutionSA国际影视传媒檚 struggling fire department, according to hamlet administrator Shawn Stuckey.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have lost several firefighters [to resignations],SA国际影视传媒� he acknowledged on March 6. SA国际影视传媒淲e have recruited for the last several months, at least three or four [members]. ISA国际影视传媒檝e had signs out. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e back up to six or seven firefighters. ISA国际影视传媒檇 like to be at eight.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think weSA国际影视传媒檙e getting much better and weSA国际影视传媒檒l continue to improve the service,SA国际影视传媒� he added. SA国际影视传媒淲e do as much as we possibly can.SA国际影视传媒�

Fort Resolution has been governed by a GNWT-appointed administration since the hamlet council was dissolved by the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) last June. It was at that point that Stuckey took up the role as administrator.

Shortly before his tenure, the local volunteer fire force experienced numerous resignations.

Speaking to the legislative assembly on Feb. 8, Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon contended that the resignations left the community SA国际影视传媒渢otally unprotectedSA国际影视传媒� against the threat of a serious fire.

Having arrived after the resignations occurred, Stuckey said he could not comment on their cause, but noted that the hamlet does have some protection against fires.

SA国际影视传媒淔rom an overall perspective, we only do level one, preventative-based,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 whatSA国际影视传媒檚 done in most of the Northern communities SA国际影视传媒� ISA国际影视传媒檒l say the small ones.

SA国际影视传媒淭hen thereSA国际影视传媒檚 the volunteer fire department that respond to put out the fire. From a hamlet perspective, we supply the water trucks and theySA国际影视传媒檙e loaded full every day and every night and kept in our garage so weSA国际影视传媒檙e ready.SA国际影视传媒�

Edjericon also expressed concern about the upcoming wildfire season, which last year devastated communities across the NWT, and caused widespread evacuations, although Fort Resolution was spared.

In response to the MLASA国际影视传媒檚 concerns, MACA Minister Vince McKay stated that the hamlet was developing a fire plan, and that several SA国际影视传媒淐at guards,SA国际影视传媒� or fire breaks, have already been created with the hope of protecting residents from potential wildfires.

Stuckey confirmed that statement from the minister, and added that further safeguards are in the works SA国际影视传媒� though he noted that SA国际影视传媒渇irefighting bush firesSA国际影视传媒� is technically SA国际影视传媒渘ot within the hamletSA国际影视传媒檚 purview.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲e did that around the whole community,SA国际影视传媒� he said of the fire breaks. SA国际影视传媒淥ur intent is to continue that over the next few years. ISA国际影视传媒檝e been working with an engineering firm out of British Columbia and staff to do it in the best way possible and ensure that itSA国际影视传媒檚 done correctly as per the engineers.SA国际影视传媒�

While recruitment of volunteer firefighters is still a primary concern, Stuckey revealed that the hamlet also has plans to provide specialized training for the existing members of the brigade, most likely in May or June. The training will be led by Ontario-based Waswanay Consulting Inc., a firm that aims to SA国际影视传媒渂e a leading fire training company dedicated to safeguarding First NationsSA国际影视传媒� lives, culture, and heritage,SA国际影视传媒� according to its website.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think if you have firefighters, a group that feels good about it, theySA国际影视传媒檙e going to be far more motivated to continue,SA国际影视传媒� Stuckey said.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e working to get that put [training] together,SA国际影视传媒� he added, with the caveat that doing so has been difficult because of the municipalitySA国际影视传媒檚 SA国际影视传媒渄ire financial straightsSA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒� part of the reason for MACASA国际影视传媒檚 administration order.

Fort Resolution experienced a house fire on Jan. 9. That fire was extinguished, but it exacerbated concerns about the hamletSA国际影视传媒檚 readiness.

Stuckey said the municipality plans to host a SA国际影视传媒渃ommunity emergency plan workshopSA国际影视传媒� on April 15 and 16 in hopes of alleviating some of that worry.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat will be with all the community members to look at the fire season, what we can do, how we can do better within the hamlet, and to make sure weSA国际影视传媒檙e coordinated with the Government of the Northwest Territories and what their plans and projects are.SA国际影视传媒�

While efforts are underway to strengthen Fort ResolutionSA国际影视传媒檚 readiness, the administrator underlined the ongoing importance of prevention, and encouraged residents to make sure their homes are outfitted with working smoke detectors, and if possible, fire extinguishers.

He also emphasized the importance of calling 911 in an emergency situation, rather than the hamlet.

SA国际影视传媒�911 is who coordinates this, and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 what they do,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚f [residents] are calling the hamlet or other [numbers], theySA国际影视传媒檙e not [calling] the ones that can get all the responders there as quick as possible.SA国际影视传媒�