Seven new fire trucks coming to Nunavik in 2025
Several communities’ fire halls will also be renovated, KRG councillors told
Craig Lingard, civil security director for the Kativik Regional Government, says seven Nunavik communities are expected to receive new fire trucks this year. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
Seven Nunavik communities are expected to receive new fire trucks, and several fire halls will be renovated this year, Kativik Regional Government’s civil security department announced Monday.
Kuujjuaq, Tasiujaq, Aupaluk, Kangirsuk, Kangiqsujuaq, Quaqtaq and Akulivik will receive the new trucks by sealift at various times throughout 2025, Craig Lingard, civil security director for KRG, told council members.
He said that for the communities that are not receiving new trucks, it is because their fire halls need to be renovated first.
“Communities that still have to have their fire hall renovated need an extension big enough for the new trucks,” Lingard said, adding renovations are scheduled and additional funding needs to be secured.
Renovations were already carried out last year at fire halls in Puvirnituq, Inukjuak, Aupaluk, Akulivik, Kangirsuk, Tasiujuaq, Quaqtaq and Kangiqsujuaq.
Lingard said contracts have been awarded to renovate the Salluit fire hall, with extensive work beginning in the spring and completion expected in the fall.
“We need to get our fire halls up to a standard that is acceptable everywhere,” he said, adding there should be a minimum of two bays per hall plus training and office space, storage and appropriate heating.
Kuujjuaq’s hall is one that needs to be renovated, but the project has been on hold for several years.
“In order to proceed with that file, there has to be a consensus between Kuujjuaq’s landholding [corporation] and the municipality,” Lingard said.
“Unfortunately, we have not been able to secure that consensus for some time, which has delayed the project.”
Funding to either renovate the hall or build a new one has been identified, but “will probably have to be increased because of the delays,” he added.
Lingard said Kuujjuaq would be a priority if the municipality and landholding corporation can come to an agreement.
Renovating Kuujjuaq’s fire hall, has been delayed due to a lack of consensus reached by the landholding corporation and the municipality, says KRG. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
Council members should be aware that forest fires are increasingly threatening the vast amount of land that is said to be owned by Nunavik. A aerial water bomber with long range fuel capabilities would be a sound investment.
I think this water bomber should be stationed in Salluit so it could rapidly be deployed to the high risk neighbouring communities and/or Nunavut should a forest fire occur
Umiujaq uses water trucks I hear!!! Is krg representative or NV lack of employment ???? It has been quite few years without a fire truck! With that being said I wonder if Umiujaq fire hall will be renovated this coming summer ?! This is a serious issue I hope they’ll get one sooner than later!!!