Sheshatshiu Innu to get firefighters

The Innu community of Sheshatshiu will soon have its own fire department.

Eleven people in the central Labrador community are learning to become firefighters.

"They're right into the training. They seem to be listening very well, adapting to the equipment really fast and they seem to enjoy it," Sheshatshius new fire chief Douglas Ashini said.

The department is clearly needed as recently as last December a young boy was killed when a house burned down in Sheshatshiu.

Right now, the neighbouring community of North West River providesfirefighting service when they can.

People in Sheshatshiu said they appreciate the help theyve received, but they expect that the new fire department will be able to serve their communitys needs better.

"Its been hard, in a way, for us as Innu. We have a language barrier which was tough for the individuals in Sheshatshiu," Jonas Ben Rich, a town councillor in the community, said.

Until a fire truck arrives, the department is using a water pump in the back of a pickup truck, but Ashini says as of May 1 the newfirefighters will be ready to respond if theres a fire.