NWT Fire held its first training event exclusively for women and non-binary folks from Aug. 9 to 13.
The program, which was hosted at the Frank Channel fire base, was the result of a conversation about how make firefighting more inclusive, organizers say.
SA国际影视传媒淭his is one of the suggestions that came up, to have a camp that was held exclusively for women and non-binary people,SA国际影视传媒� said Angel Simon, lead instructor at the event. SA国际影视传媒淪ometimes people felt there may be scrutiny if they went into a course that was mainly dominated by males. We just wanted to give them a place where they felt safe and secureSA国际影视传媒A国际影视传媒�
Though the training event has now passed, this is certainly not the last weSA国际影视传媒檒l see of the program, Simon says.
SA国际影视传媒淲e just talked about that today [Aug. 18], so this is not going to be a one and done,SA国际影视传媒� said Simon. SA国际影视传媒淭his is going to be something that continues from now on. We want to increase the numbers of women and non-binary people in the forest program, so this is definitely a step in the right direction.SA国际影视传媒�
While plans for future events have yet to be solidified, Simon says theySA国际影视传媒檒l definitely be different than the 2021 event.
SA国际影视传媒淪ince this was the first go at it, we definitely have to improve on some things,SA国际影视传媒� said Simon. SA国际影视传媒淛ust make it better moving forward.SA国际影视传媒�
One participant of the course, Yellowknife resident Shawna Cook, would re-attend the program in a heartbeat, finding a loss of words when describing her time there.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was just unexplainable how that experience was,SA国际影视传媒� said Cook. SA国际影视传媒淚 enjoyed every moment of being out there.SA国际影视传媒�
Though Cook did struggle at some points, that worked as motivation for her to continue pressing forward.
SA国际影视传媒淲e had a relay race where I had to carry a pump, hose, bags,SA国际影视传媒� said Cook. SA国际影视传媒淒uring it I just wanted to give up, but I just kept on pushing myself. I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 care about my time, I just wanted to get it done. Anybody can do that if they really put their mind to it.SA国际影视传媒�
Hearing about the program through her partner, Cook was intentionally surprised that the course was just for women and non-binary individuals.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 something I always wanted to pursue,SA国际影视传媒� said Cook. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 awesome that they were giving a chance for ladies to experience it and get qualified to be an EFF (Emergency Firefighter).SA国际影视传媒�
Simon offered some advice for individuals, like Cook, who are interested in future fire-training courses.
SA国际影视传媒淎ttend the courses when they come up,SA国际影视传媒� said Simon. SA国际影视传媒淲hether itSA国际影视传媒檚 strictly for women and non-binary or everybody. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e here, weSA国际影视传媒檙e open. We want you to learn. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 nothing weSA国际影视传媒檙e going to push you away from.SA国际影视传媒�
