ENR has fire crews in almost every community in the NWT. We have 41 fire crews, of which 30 crews are provided by local First Nations. The remaining 11 crews are departmental employees. Each fire crew (can be of either gender) is formed of 5 people, 1 Crew Leader and 4 crewmembers.

Each fire crew is trained to Type 1 National standards. Under the supervision of the Crew Leader, the crew member must fully understand basic fire behaviour knowledge, fire management tactics, fireline equipment, fireline organization, communications, air operations and orienteering. Crew members must be fully aware of occupational health & safety issues in fighting wildland fires as well as meet basic physical fitness standards. They must be a co-operative and trustworthy team capable of working under stressful, demanding and arduous work conditions sometimes over long hours.

During periods of Low to Moderate Forest Fire hazards, fire crews are kept busy with several tasks including equipment refurbishing, fire base improvement, and project work (from construction to hazard abatement). Because fire fighting is extremely difficult, crewmembers must be physically fit and 'working out' is expected to be part of their daily ritual.

During periods of High to Extreme Forest Fire Hazards, fire fighters are expected to be ready for immediate dispatch. In situations like this, fire equipment is pre-loaded in aircraft or other vehicles. When fire crews are deployed to a fire, they are expected to be self-sufficient for a 48-hour period. Besides fire fighting equipment (Radios, a Mark 3 pump, 2000' of hose, gasoline cans, shovels, pulaskis, axes, backpack pumps, etc.), firefighters also carry personal camping gear (1-man dome tent, sleeping bag, foam or air mattress) and enough food for 2 days. With modern technology, fire crews now carry Globalstar satellite phones for emergency and communication, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) for location accuracy.

Fire crews from the NWT have fought fires as far north as the Mackenzie Delta, as far south as southern Oregon, as far east as central Ontario, and as far west as western British Columbia and every place in between. Although their job may not seem to be the most glamerous of professions, firefighters have the most important positions in Fire Management Operations. They are the people who put the fires out!