Better assessment of tree hazards, tougher protective gear, needed for wildland firefighters - CKLB Radio

Posted By: James O'ConnorOctober 16, 2024

The territory’s Chief Coroner Garth Eggenberger has nine recommendations for the GNWT’s Department of Environment and Climate Change following the death of wildland firefighter Adam Yeadon on July 15, 2023.

The 25-year old died battling a blaze near after being hit by a falling tree his home community of Fort Liard during last year’s historically destructive wildfires.

The recommendations are mostly technical in nature, but the Coroner did call for improving procedures for assessing tree hazards and establishing appropriate safe-work practices.

That means anyone certified to use a chainsaw as part of their work has Danger Tree Assessor training before using a chainsaw during live fire events.

Also, the Environment Department should conduct a third-party review of all safety equipment provided to its firefighters to ensure that they meet or exceed industry standards.

This includes more protective helmets as a potential replacement for all front-line firefighters to help prevent future deaths.

The Environment Department should review fire crew minimums when deploying personnel, and ensure the highest qualified fire fighters are deployed to active fires. The lesser trained staff should only be deployed firefighters for sustained attack and mop-up activities, and not as initial attack wildfire fighters.

The Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission previously decided not to lay charges in this case.

Earlier this year, the territorial government established the Adam Yeadon Memorial Scholarship.

It’s to be awarded to NWT full-time post-secondary students enrolled in a diploma, degree or other approved training programs related to forestry or wildfire management to encourage northern students to pursue an education in these fields.

To read the Coroner’s recommendations: