Heat is on

After an intensive week-long training course [if all got a passing grade], Labrador West will have a dozen newly, accredited firefighters.

It's been eight years since the area was able to host the internationally recognized course

NFPA 1001 for firefighter 1 and Labrador City Fire Chief Mario Berthiaume said it was a great opportunity for firefighters in all of Labrador West.

The chief said he is quite proud of the intense work both Labrador City and Wabush firefighters put into the course last week.

"You have to remember these [firefighters] are volunteers and they are punching a lot of hours-12 hours a day between classroom [instruction] and practical," Berthiaume pointed out. "We are very fortunate that we have solid support from IOC and Wabush Mines who accommodate our firefighters who work there, without that, obviously, we wouldn't be able to host this training."

The chief also pointed out how both municipalities in Labrador West are incredibly accommodating and supportive of the firefighters.

The provincial team

Ken Snow, who is a training officer with the Wabush Fire Department and also the Labrador representative for Fire and Emergency Services Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL), said there are many positive aspects of having the training come to the area.

"It's very expensive to send our firefighters out to do the training," said Snow. "But we've had members from Wabush and Labrador City who've gone out on their own in the past and taken their vacation to do that."

Snow added that bringing the course here also offers a feeling of inclusion with the rest of the province for volunteers in the area-it helps members here feel part of the provincial team.

"We are pretty isolated here," Snow said. "So, when you have someone from the province coming in for something like this, it's not only about training firefighters it also reinforces, with that training, that they are the same [as the rest of the firefighters in the province].

Ongoing training

Both Snow and Berthiaume explained the local firefighters are always undergoing different types on training and the regional training facility is well-utilized in the area by both departments.

"A lot of the exercises and training that went on this week are things we do on an ongoing basis, but it's done in segments while this course has it all concentrated into the one week," explained the fire chief. "And it's also good to have an instructor in from the Province to put off the course."

Linus Tremblett led the course with a slew of instructors assisting him besides Ken Snow and Chief Berthiaume. Martin Drachler from Churchill Falls as well as locals: Joe Power, Don Locke and John Smith completed the team of instructors.

Learning on many angles

Outside the classroom, which was set up at Labrador City fire hall, students were engaged in live-burn exercises, rescues and mock disasters at the local training facility (off Bartlett Drive). Getting to understand the patterns of fires, interior fire attacks, life-saving skills and many more practical components of firefighting as well as emergency response were taught during the fundamental course of firefighting last week.

Both Snow and Berthiaume agreed that, aside from a grueling week of work and some very important emergency skills being taught, both departments coming together reinforces a very strong element to the firefighting organization.

"It certainly is about camaraderie and unity for the volunteers," said Snow. "Fire fighters have to work as a team and these 12 certainly worked as a team during this course."

Berthiaume nods in agreement and is quick to note that much of what the team is evaluated on in this course is indeed centered around how they perform as a unit.

"It has so much to do with everyone working together," he said. "Firefighting is never an individual activity; it has to be always about teamwork.