149 new First Nations firefighters finish training

“It means a lot to train our people, to train our urban membership, to be able to have that certificate to be put on the ground because it’s really the ground crews … the ESS—boots on the ground—that put out the fire at the end of the day,” said Hardlotte.

“I think it’s extremely, extremely important for people to protect their communities and they need to do that.”

The condensed training courses run for four days for each group of 20-30 students.

Once they finish the course, the certified firefighters can be hired by the Government of Saskatchewan. So far, 69 of the PAGC fire fighters have been hired by the provincial bases in Prince Albert and La Ronge.

If all goes well, 24 more students will pass this week’s course, adding to the queue of potential help.

Students entered the courses on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Many of those who took the course wanted the opportunity to help out in their own community.

According to a media release from the PAGC, they did this, “In an effort to get more First Nations firefighters within the fire suppression on the more than 100 active fires within northern Saskatchewan.”

The PAGC hired six independent contractors to provide the training and certification necessary.

The first course started on July 7 in the height of fire threats facing northern communities. So far, there have been six groups.

asoloducha@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha

by Alex Soloducha

149 new First Nations firefighters finish training

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