Thank you, Madam Speaker. Our municipalities have always had the need for adequate fire alarm systems. These systems are critical in minimizing the response time for our fire fighters. Some communities currently utilize a pull box system, a paging system accessed through telephones or a combination of both. There may be other systems in use which I am not aware of.
In these communities there are problems with both systems. Communities using the pull box system have encountered some pull boxes being unusable as a result of breakdowns which have proven to be difficult or expensive to repair. The problems with the pager systems have primarily resulted from the difficulties in activating the system, as an individual must have access to a telephone. As we all know, not all our residents have telephones. There have also been instances in which fire fighters have misplaced or forgotten to carry their pagers.
Madam Speaker, in a majority of our communities, the most recent problem has been in keeping up with the growth of new subdivisions. In particular, the installation of new sirens where existing ones are ineffective and inaudible due to their location. The sirens are critical in the fire alarm system due to many fire fighters and fire fighting support staff such as water truck drivers, RCMP and medical personnel, et cetera, not having pagers.
Madam Speaker, our government must place a priority on evaluating, upgrading or repairing all fire alarm systems in the NWT in order to ensure the effectiveness of these systems to protect the safety of the residents in our communities. Mahsi cho.
---Applause