A record number of teams participated in the 2019 Saskatchewan First Nation Firefighter competition in Prince Albert on Saturday. (Brady Bateman/paNOW Staff)

By Brady Bateman

Firefighting Fun

Annual First Nation Firefighter competition returns to P.A.

Jun 15, 2019 | 5:00 PM

Dozens of teams came together to take part in the annual Saskatchewan First Nation Firefighter competition on Saturday.

Teams representing Okanese, Peepeekisis, Shoal Lake Cree Nation, Hatchet Lake, Fond Du Lac, Hall Lake, Red Earth, Black Lake, Kahkewistahaw and the Prince Albert Grand Council all took part in the annual event, which pits teams of firefighters against each other in a serious of competitions.

Mitch Mesenchuk, Emergency Protective Services Officer with Saskatchewan First Nation Emergency Management, told paNOW about the event.

“Today is our 2019 provincial level of competition. We have 12 teams competing today, and it’s just evolutions going through different scenarios,” Mesenchuk said.

“The team that wins provincials will go on to represent the province at the national level of competition.”

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The teams participating in the event, which ran from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., took part in a variety of competitive tasks, ranging from donning a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), to mantling and dismantling emergency equipment such as fire hoses, and accuracy with such equipment.

Teams raced against the clock to equip protective gear like SCBA’s, during the 2019 Sask. First Nation Firefighter competition. (Brady Bateman/paNOW Staff)

“The teams have to do things like rolling out the hoses, spraying targets, stuff like that all while they are competing against the time. The team with the fastest times will go on to nationals,” said Mesenchuk.

“Most of the gear here these guys are wearing has all been donated for them to use and take home. We have a lot of first year teams here this year that we’ve never seen which is always great to see and get them out here and set up.”

Mesenchuk added that each team competing in the event was comprised of six members.

Participating in the event was Ronnie Augier, representing Fond Du Lac First Nation.

“There’s some good competition this year, we are dealing with rain but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, it beats the 30 C temperatures we’ve competed in during some other years,” Augier said.

“I think our team started competing in 2004 and I think so far we have 11 or 12 cups winning nationals. We usually do pretty good in the competition. On behalf of our community, I want to thank the Chief and Council and the people of Fond Du Lac that support us every year, and we will continue to protect and serve our community.”

Augier added that he encourages younger members of the community to become involved in the event.

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brady.bateman@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TheDigitalBirdy