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Yukon can be a punishing place, with extreme temperatures, avalanches, icy roads and dangerous predators. But for some, it’s home. And when Dawson City residents face almost insurmountable challenges, the fire department is ready to rush in.
Under the direction of chief Mike Massery, the department is almost entirely comprised of volunteers. They — along with other local emergency workers — are in focus on the new TV series Yukon Rescue. Massery spoke about the show, which premières Nov. 7 on The History Channel and STACKTV, via Prime Video.
Q: What was it like adjusting to the cameras?
A: During emergency calls with the adrenalin flowing, it was much easier to pretend the film crew was not there — unless they were too close, or it was something we didn’t want filmed for privacy reasons. The crew was supportive and understanding, and after a while they became part of our team.
Q: What’s the most challenging part about the job?
A: When an emergency happens, we are it. Our emergency services team in Dawson includes our EMS, RCMP, Canadian Rangers/SAR (search and rescue) and wildland fire teams. If there is a large emergency anywhere in the Klondike Region, we deal with the emergency. We are so far away from help that by the time help arrives, they are there to clean up.
Q: How does Dawson make firefighting unique?
A: For nine months of the year, we have only one way to drive out. In Dawson, we are surrounded by hazards. Potential slides are the highest hazard and the Sunnydale slide is one that could destroy Dawson and everything in it.
I have heard many people say that if a large event happens here, what could you do about it anyway? My answer is that we will train for it and do everything we can to prepare for it to provide our citizens with as much information as we have available to us, so they can be as prepared as they can be.
Q: Why did you decide to become a firefighter?
A: My parents would give the shirt off their back to help someone they didn’t know. My dad was a handyman who was good at everything, and it seemed everyone knew about him and his willingness to help. My mom was always happy to have all our friends drop in for lunch or after school for snacks, even though there were eight of us. The fire service is a group of people that are willing to go out of their way to help the community.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.