Mr. Speaker, October 9 to 15, 2005 is National Fire Prevention Week and, as such, is a fitting time to announce the recipients of this year’s Northwest Territories Fire Service Merit Awards.

In 2002, our government established the Fire Service Merit Awards to recognize the important contribution of individual firefighters and fire departments in the Northwest Territories. Firefighting is a dangerous occupation. We must not forget the sacrifices that firefighters make and the risk that they face on a daily basis.

In 2005, the department has once again received nominations to recognize the special contribution of individual firefighters and community fire departments. Individual nominations are assessed by a committee of local and territorial fire service and community government officials, against a set of established criteria. These nominations have now been assessed, and I am pleased to announce the 2005 winners at this time. Two individuals have been chosen to receive the Fire Service Merit Awards for 2005.

The first is Cyril Fyfe of the Yellowknife fire department who died in the line of duty on March 21, 2005. We were all deeply saddened by the tragedy involving Mr. Fyfe and Mr. Kevin Olsen at the Home Building Centre and are so proud of Cyril’s courage and long-standing efforts to serve the community.

Mr. Randy Hilworth of the Hay River Fire Department was recognized by his colleagues for his significant contributions to their fire department and community.

The department also received nominations for the Community Fire Service Merit Award. This award is presented annually to recognize the success of a local fire department in improving the overall fire protection system in the community over the past year.

Mr. Speaker, in all our small communities, maintaining an active fire department can be a real challenge. To a great extent, we rely on volunteers in all our communities. Finding enough people who are prepared to dedicate their time to taking the training, being on call, going into difficult and dangerous situations is not easy. It is encouraging to see all the efforts that many communities are making to ensure their fire departments are up to the challenge. At this time I am pleased to announce that the 2005 Community Fire Service Merit Award is awarded to the Town of Hay River Fire Department.

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Mr. Speaker, I would ask that all Members of the Legislative Assembly please join me in recognizing the two recipients and the Hay River Fire Department. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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