The twelfth annual Ember Fire Academy – a free, intensive program for all women and genders historically underrepresented in the fire service who are 16 years of age or older – concluded on Saturday, September 5, after five days of training. Eleven recruits successfully completed the program.
The weeklong program introduces participants to firefighting in a safe and supportive environment. The hands-on curriculum trains recruits to use personal protective equipment and gear, cut open vehicles to extricate passengers, respond to hazardous materials emergencies and extinguish vehicle and structure fires. Participants also train for rope and ladder rescue, functional fitness and performance tests, the importance of proper nutrition and other practical skills.
This year’s program was held in Teslin, the first time it was hosted in a rural community outside of the Whitehorse area.
Since Ember launched in 2014, over 150 recruits have participated. To date, approximately 26 recruits from the Ember Fire Academy have joined fire services in the Yukon.
The Ember Fire Academy is a great example of the kind of opportunity that can make a real difference in rural Yukon communities. Bringing training opportunities into our communities helps build local skills, confidence, and capacity, while giving people a chance to take on an important role close to home. Thank you to the instructors and the Fire Marshal’s Office, and congratulations to all the participants. I hope this experience encourages you to stay involved and continue building the skills that help keep our communities strong and safe.
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The Ember Fire Academy typically runs in the summer months but will sometimes occur in the fall. This variation is intended to help accommodate different work and childcare schedules.
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The first Ember Fire Academy took place in 2014 and has run annually since then with an average of 12 recruits each year.
Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
[email protected]
Wayne Potoroka
Communications, Community Services
867-332-9427
[email protected]