From volunteer to acting chief, Solomon Tagak climbs Iqaluit fire department ladder

Solomon Tagak started his career with the Iqaluit fire department as a volunteer in 2007.

Over 18 years, he has worked “every job” the department has to offer, from emergency dispatcher to lieutenant, captain and deputy chief, he said in an interview this week.

Now, Tagak is embracing a new role as acting fire chief and director of emergency services, with the hope to move into the job permanently.

“I never expected I’d be here,” Tagak said.

“When I got this job with the fire department, I was happy being in a place where I could help people and felt part of an important team.”

Tagak, who has lived in Iqaluit since 1983, described following in the footsteps of his brother John, who worked in the fire department before him.

Having previously worked front-line roles with Nunavut’s corrections and family services departments, Tagak said he joined the fire department looking to help people.

“I still have the need and the want to work for the people out in the community, but also for the people that work in this department,” he said.

Tagak’s new role is more so in the background, from his office.

He’s tasked with guiding his employees who are on the front lines, responding to fires and medical emergencies.

“My job now is to kind of look after them so that they have nothing to worry about when they go and do their jobs,” Tagak said.

He has been in the new job for about five weeks, replacing former fire chief Steve McGean. City of Iqaluit spokesperson Geoff Byrne declined comment when asked about McGean’s departure.

“We’re looking forward to having Chief Tagak in the role and are focused on moving forward under his leadership,” Byrne said.

The Nunavut Employees Union, which represents Iqaluit firefighters, congratulated Tagak on his promotion in a March 12 Facebook post and praised the city for hiring someone from Iqaluit.

So far, Tagak said he’s enjoying the new role and he’s thankful for the support he has received from his colleagues and the city.

Going forward, he has “projects” in mind for the future, especially focused on recruiting and training Iqaluit locals to join the department.

“I come from here and I think it is pretty important that having your roots here makes a difference in how you perform your duties here,” he said.