Dawson City fire department rolls out fire suppression gear for oft-isolated West Dawson

West Dawson has received the first of two emergency fire skids, the first to give the isolated community emergency supplies and training to help fight fires on the west side of the Yukon River.

Once the skids, which contain a water tank, hose and pump, are operational, members of the West Side Association can use the equipment to suppress fires until professional crews can arrive. 

Dawson City fire Chief Mike Masserey said the skids are the first of many safety measures he wants to implement in West Dawson over the next two years. 

“We just got all new gear last year," he said. "And so we'll suit them up with as much as we can, to help them out to get started.”

The skids were donated by Global Medic, which Masserey said has donated thousands across Canada to communities with similar needs. The skid can be used to suppress fires. He adds he's still looking for a truck to store the skid. 

He said there are plans for a training site in Dawson to train association members. If all goes well, other communities, like Mayo and Old Crow, could receive emergency training too, Masserey said. 

Once members of the association are trained to use the firefighting equipment, Masserey said residents would still call 911. Association members would be contacted by Emergency Services to help suppress fires or aid with other needs until professional crews can arrive. 

Duncan Smith is a West Dawson resident and member of the West Side Association. He said West Dawson is often isolated from emergency services for many months of the year. The Top of the World highway is closed in the winter, and access to Dawson City is limited without the ice bridge or George Black Ferry in operation. 

“You forget that emergencies can happen. And then you get a close shave or an emergency happens and then you think, 'Oh, gee whizz. Wish we were more ready for that,'” said Smith.  “Because you got that sinking feeling when it seems like something bad is about to happen and you're not prepared.” 

Smith said since becoming a parent, his risk tolerance has gone down, and he will feel safer once more equipment and training comes into the community. 

“I mean, this is not the first step, but it's one of the early steps in us being more ready," he said "I recognize that none of this stuff happened super fast and we're having to do a fair bit of it self-directed. Mike (Masserey) is firmly in our corner and he's making stuff happen.”