Nunavik’s firefighters to target youth in regional fire prevention

An environmental technician with the KRG gives a presentation on environmental hazards to Nunavik’s fire chiefs last month in Kangiqsujuaq. (PHOTO COURTESY OF KRG)

Volunteer fire departments across Nunavik will target youth and ignitable sources as part of a new regional campaign to prevent fires from being started in the region’s homes and other buildings.

The new campaign, which focuses on “young fire starters,” was introduced to fire chiefs from each of the region’s 14 communities at their annual meeting Sept. 20 to Sept. 27 in Kangiqsujuaq.

Fire statistics gathered in the region in 2014 show that about 30 per cent of fires in Nunavik are started by youth — sometimes deliberately, but also accidentally when using ignitable sources, like a lighter or a lit cigarette.

“It’s the first time we’re seeing statistics on the fire calls,” said Michael Cameron, a veteran fire fighter and department chief in Salluit.

“So we can hit specific targets now. That means visiting schools and doing workshops with local youth,” he said. “The consensus is that we’re better planners now.”

Youth arson was just one of many issues Nunavik’s fire chiefs discussed during their annual meeting last month, which the Kativik Regional Government’s public security department began to host about five years, to better coordinate the region’s firefighting response.

For Cameron, who’s served as a firefighter for the last 22 years — 17 of them as chief — he sees a major improvement in the way communities respond to threats of fire.

But Nunavik communities continue to struggle with a high turnover of firefighter volunteers and department chiefs, Cameron said, while departments work with limited and sometimes outdated equipment.

“We can see the challenges we face are common,” he said.

The introduction in recent years of Firefighter 1 certification has encouraged a stronger commitment from many volunteer firefighters in Nunavik, but it remains a challenge to get volunteers who may be parents and work full-time to sign up.

This year, Nunavik’s public security department expects to see 45 firefighters go through the internationally-recognized certification, which would bring the region’s total number of trained firefighters up to 100.

That’s part of a goal under the region’s Fire Safety Cover Plan to bring Nunavik’s fire protection services up to Quebec standards by certifying 10 firefighters in each community.

“We’re looking at what we can do to get these men and women motivated to be there for training,” Cameron said.

Salluit, for example, has 26 volunteer firefighters on paper, but only between seven and 12 might turn up when there’s a fire call.

Seven firefighters in that community have earned their Firefighter 1 certification, while another three are currently in training.

Training makes a difference in how effectively a fire department responds to a fire, Cameron said.

“We’re better, professionally,” he said. “We’re not at a loss of what to do, and firefighters need less direction.”

Having trained firefighters in a community has a domino effect too, he said, through their ability to mentor new recruits.

“So stick it out, and keep on volunteering in your communities,” Cameron said, encouraging Nunavimmiut to get involved.

According to statistics compiled by the KRG, Nunavik firefighters fought 66 fires in 2014, down from 74 fires in 2013.