Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The safety of our residents is a priority for the Government of the Northwest Territories. Through the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Emergency Management Organization, the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs supports communities in building local capacity to respond to emergencies. Fires can place a heavy burden on families, communities, and governments. Providing fire services in the North is challenging for all community governments given our remote locations, limited access to resources, and harsh environment.
Mr. Speaker, in order to deliver fire services, the NWT relies heavily on volunteer firefighters. The delivery of fire prevention and fire protection services in our communities would not be possible without the many career and volunteer firefighters across the Northwest Territories and their significant contribution. This is a tough job. Thankfully, we have many individuals who take on this duty.
There is a tremendous commitment required to be a volunteer firefighter. These individuals:
- sacrifice time away from their families and friends;
- must attend training to keep their skills fresh in order to safely respond to calls;
- have a role in educating residents to how they can protect themselves from fires;
- respond to and investigate the cause of fires; and
- have a role in inspecting our buildings to ensure people can get out safely.
Mr. Speaker, given this very important role that firefighters have, it is essential that we recognize and acknowledge the efforts of those who provide these services that contribute to our safety and security.
- The first is a Long Service Recognition Program, which awards recipients of the Northwest Territories for fire services with medals and pins for years of service; and
- The second is the NWT Fire Service Merit Award. This award is presented to individual firefighters and community fire departments who have made significant contributions to the Northwest Territories fire services and community fire protection.
Mr. Speaker, today, I want to highlight the service of one of the Northwest Territories' most outstanding volunteers and to celebrate the recipient of the 2020 NWT Fire Service Merit Award, Mr. David Bernhardt. The community of Inuvik nominated Mr. Bernhardt for his contributions to the NWT fire service and an incredible 40 years of dedicated service to the Inuvik residents.
Originally from Cape Dyer, Nunavut, Mr. Bernhardt moved to Inuvik with his family early in the 1960s. He joined the Inuvik Fire Department in 1980 and has served as a firefighter, lieutenant, captain, and deputy fire chief. In 2019, his colleagues bestowed him with the Canadian Municipal Long Service Award, which recognizes achievements of long-serving volunteer firefighters in our communities across Canada.
Today, Mr. Bernhardt remains an active member of the fire department, sharing his history and knowledge as a mentor to junior firefighters. Although he no longer is a front-line firefighter, he currently ensures exterior firefighting operations run efficiently and, more importantly, maintains a calm and steady presence, with a watchful eye that provides for the safety of everyone on the fire scenes.
Mr. Bernhardt does not know when he will retire from volunteer firefighting, but he considers his fellow firefighters as family and loves to contribute in any way that he can. Firefighter Bernhardt is a unique and admirable individual, and so I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on receiving the 2020 Fire Service Merit Aware. I also want to thank all firefighters across the Northwest Territories for their dedication and their commitment in making us safer. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.