Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Silvia Senna

INDIGENOUS FIREFIGHTER COMPETITION

Firefighters showcase skills at B.C. Indigenous Firefighting Competition in Riverside Park

Jun 3, 2024 | 12:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — It was a lot of hose work and spraying targets during the 39th annual B.C. Indigenous Firefighter Competition at Riverside Park in Kamloops Saturday (June 1). Nine teams of volunteer firefighters from across the province showcased their firefighting skills and worked to enhance their knowledge.

“The skills that I learn here are really important because that’s what I can use to help tackle a nation, keep it safe from any fires or any disasters,” said Bronson Nisyok from Takla Nation Fire Department.

“Some of the the biggest areas that we’ve learned from is like how to pack our hoses. The ways that we were packing our hoses last year might not have been the best way,” added Christian Harpe with Tache Fire Department. “That’s going to cut down on our time and make us faster to respond to fires.”

All that learning surely pays off.

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“Last year, as soon as we got back to our home community, there was a house fire and all of us were able to respond and we all used the training that we gained from here. It’s a really good training session for all of us come down every year just so that we can freshen up and be ready for those responses,” Harpe explained.

Despite the competition aspect of the event, it was a day of celebration.

“Bringing the First Nations communities and celebrating our firefighters is what we really aim to do at the end of the day,” said Nathan Combs, Fire Services Manager with the First Nations’ Emergency Services Society. “The competition is fun, but we want to make sure when firefighters leave here, they know that they’re valued and appreciated for what they do at a volunteer basis.”

And the volunteers hope to encourage more people to follow their steps.

“Just put themselves out there or at least try out these opportunities,” said Nisyok. “I personally see a lot of people lose a lot of important things, such as family, property or someone in distress and just helping someone personally is a good feeling.”

“It’s something to be really proud of and you’re giving back to your nation,” added Harpe. “You’re always fighting two fires. You’re fighting the fire that you’re fighting right away and you’re fighting that second fire that you’re packing up and then preparing for the next one.”