Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Silvia Senna

B-C INDIGENOUS FIREFIGHTER COMPETITION

Competitors go through two-day training program ahead of B.C. Indigenous Firefighter Competition

May 31, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The First Nations’ Emergency Services Society (FNESS) is hosting the 39th annual B.C. Indigenous Firefighter Competition at Riverside Park on Saturday (June 1). The event brings together First Nations fire departments from across the province to showcase their firefighting skills.

Over the last two days, competitors have been going through a comprehensive two-day training program prior to the competition. However, it’s not all about winning.

“It’s camaraderie. It’s team building. It’s supportive. It’s a celebration. What we do is we have a realization that these First Nations firefighters, they live in remote communities. Every incident they go to, they are either going to a family member’s place or a friend’s place. They know everybody. And we want to honour them for their service because that is not an easy thing to do. It really takes a toll on them, so it’s a celebration,” explained Rio Jerome, a Fire Services Instructor.

The competition is also a platform for volunteers to enhance their firefighting knowledge and skills through training and collaboration.

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“Last year, three days after our training and competition, we had a house fire in our community and we live in a remote community. The guys that came back were all trained and they used all our training that they’ve got from here and they put it right into action as soon as they got home,” said Volunteer Fire Chief Don Mattess.

The B.C.Indigenous Firefighter Competition takes place Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The winning team will earn the opportunity to advance to the National Indigenous Firefighter Competition, representing their respective First Nations fire department.