Nunavut firefighters showcase skills at competition

The Nunavut firefighters team, made up of firefighters Norman Qavvik (Team Captain), Cody Evaloakjuk, Troy Innukshuk, George Aksadjuak, Jollie Enoogoo and Randy Idlout won the Most Sportsman Like Team award at the 2011 competition of the Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada. (FILE PHOTO)

Eleven of Nunavut’s most skilled firefighters are taking part in the Nunavut Firefighters Competition in Rankin Inlet this week.

The annual Nunavut Firefighters Competition, hosted by the Department of Community and Government Services and the Municipal Training Organization, see the territory’s best firefighters train and compete in obstacle courses, skills exercises and time trials that simulate the actual conditions of fighting a fire.

“This is an excellent opportunity for Nunavut firefighters to hone and perfect their skills, and gain recognition within the firefighting community as being the best in their class,” said Lorne Kusugak, minister of the Department of Community and Government Services, in an Aug. 14 news release.

“These types of events are also important for recruiting and retaining qualified and committed firefighters within our communities.”

Following the Nunavut competition, six firefighters will be chosen by their peers to represent the territory at the National Aboriginal Firefighter Competition in Walpole Island, Ont. from Aug. 19 to Aug. 23.

Nunavut firefighters have performed well at previous national competitions, with Team Nunavut having won the Max McNeil award for Most Sportsmanlike Team five times in the last seven years of the competition.

“Nunavut firefighters have earned the reputation, at the national level, as being consummate professionals who encourage and support each other and demonstrate exemplary teamwork. We are excited for this next team of Nunavut firefighters to continue this tradition and be our ambassadors on the national stage,” Kusugak said.

“We wish all participants at the Nunavut Firefighters Competition the best of luck, and look forward to cheering on Team Nunavut at the National Aboriginal Firefighters Competition later this month.”