200 Petawawa soldiers learn to fight wildfires

By Patricia Leboeuf | June 28, 2018
Matt Johnston teaches Sergeant Ryan White to hose down any potential hot spots. (Photo by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post)

About 200 Garrison Petawawa-based personnel learned just what it takes to combat fires through special wildfire training sessions.

It was requested that wings, garrisons, and bases across the country have soldiers trained to fight woodland fires in the event they are needed to assist provincial jurisdictions in emergencies.In Petawawa, members of the National Defence Fire Service trained an Immediate Reaction Unit (IRU) comprised of soldiers from various units across the brigade. The last day of training was on June 20.

“It is very good because it educates a lot of the staff that uses the ranges,” said Steven Kruschenske, Wildland Coordinator.

It is the first year for the basic skills training and the reaction was positive from 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2 CER), The Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) and 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (2 RCHA) personnel who took part.

Corporal Lawrence Doolan and Corporal Kevin Christian work with the portable water pump. (Photo by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post)

“With the wildfire situation and the droughts we are having out west, they are running out of people,” said Training Officer Rick Landry. “When they want to bring in the military, they want them to have a certain level of experience so they aren’t just coming on the ground unprepared.” There is testing, an in-classroom portion as well as hands-on learning. To ensure participants get some prep time with the basic tools, the group of students were split into four stations and learned how to use the pump and hose correctly.

The trainers were pleased with everyone’s progress and ability.

“Being an ex-soldier myself, I definitely know that they are hardworking and dependable,” said Landry.

Though forest fires have predominantly been a threat out west, they could still occur in Petawawa. Particularly concerning is the fact that the woods on the garrison and training area are mostly highly flammable pine trees.

Wildfire fighting comes with a host of tools that the Immediate Reaction Unit (IRU) had the opportunity to learn how to use properly. From left are Sapper Nayara Sa, Sapper Jacob Yule, and Sapper Shawn Johnston. (Photo by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post)

“We’ve allowed the trees to come close to our base infrastructure so the potential is there,” said Landry.

Forest fires are the largest threat to the garrison and are often sparked accidentally during field exercises. Having soldiers trained with the basic skills to control the flames will come in handy. “So when they are on call, we have an immediate pool to draw from,” said Kruschenske.

Similar courses will be held in the future, and this IRU will be used if needed in times of emergencies, both locally and nation-wide.