Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring some attention to a segment of our population that very much deserves our accolades. Mr. Speaker, the people I am referring to are the firefighters throughout the Northwest Territories. Whether they be career firefighters or volunteer firefighters, these brave men and women who give selfishly of themselves in the very worst of times should be recognized by our government.
Mr. Speaker, during the recent tragedy in the United States, a newscaster commented that in an emergency situation when everyone else is running away from the area, the firefighters are running right into the emergency. Nothing could be more true. Firefighters risk their lives for us on a daily basis without giving a second thought for their own personal safety.
Mr. Speaker, in the case of the Hay River Fire Department, the department is comprised entirely of volunteers. They currently have 24 members. For the year 2000, Mr. Speaker, these brave men and women tended to 54 fire calls. They also had 160 ambulance calls, which included motor vehicle accidents. In addition, they transported 165 medevac patients.
Mr. Speaker, these statistics are extremely impressive when you consider that these volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is in addition to working full-time jobs and having families.
Mr. Speaker, I propose that this government should institute a recognition program for our firefighters that properly acknowledges their many years of dedicated service to their communities.
Mr. Speaker, there is currently no tangible form of recognition bestowed on our firefighters from our territorial government. I propose that this government design special medals to be presented to our volunteer firefighters for five-year increments of service. I further propose that this government match the federal government's initiative of a tax-free allowance for our firefighters. In addition, I propose that our firefighters receive a special licence plate that distinguish these individuals in their communities.
Mr. Speaker, I recently met with the Hay River Volunteer Fire Department to hear their concerns. Overwhelmingly, the thing that I heard from them, Mr. Speaker, is that...