Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Member for Thebacha, my constituents are very concerned about the way we address fires, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, many northern residents at times, I believe, don't fully understand the responsibility of an air attack officer, better known as Bird Dog officers. I'm going to attempt to explain some of the working conditions they have to work under.
When the Bird Dog aircraft flies ahead of DC-4s or CL-215s, they assist the pilots in fire attacks. For example, when the Bird Dog is five minutes back from the fire, the air attack officer will contact the fire boss and any aircraft in the area to notify them that the Bird Dogs are now controlling the fire space and to start making arrangements to clear the area for the tanker group. The air attack officer is responsible for the safe operation of the air tanker group and, as such, may remove crews from the fire if he deems it hazardous to life or property, either people on the ground or in aircraft.
Mr. Speaker, the air attack officer works under very difficult conditions. Remember, smoke could be very dense from a fire; and, there could be very hot conditions which create hot air pockets so planes could lose altitude very quickly. There are, at times, turbulence, prevailing winds, down drafts and lack of visibility, no doubt from the amount of smoke.
Mr. Speaker, I was saddened to hear that there were lay-off notices given to two air attack officers, including the assistant air operator, Jack Bird. Jack Bird was raised in Hay River and also Yellowknife. I recall, quite vividly, going to school with Jack here in Yellowknife. Jack Bird started in Inuvik in 1974 as a firefighter. He completed training in resource management in February 1975. He was based in Yellowknife until 1980 as an assistant resource management officer, where he was responsible for the supervision of ground crews. He also has worked as an air attack officer since 1980. He has been on loan to most agencies in Canada, the United States and in Mexico.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement.