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- calendar_today October 28, 2026
Watson Lake’s Firefighters Gain State-of-the-Art Training Facility
The Watson Lake Fire Department in Yukon now has access to a brand-new firefighter training facility. This multi-room, two-storey structure is designed to let firefighters safely simulate real-life emergency scenarios, providing crucial hands-on experience in a controlled environment.
A Rare Resource in Yukon
The new facility is one of only a handful of such firefighter training facilities in the territory. According to Julia Staudt, a trainer and firefighter with the Watson Lake Fire Department, there is considerable excitement and pride in the community about this development. "There isn't a lot of them [training facilities] in the territory," Staudt noted. The facility is the fifth of its kind in Yukon, joining training spaces at the Whitehorse Fire Department, Ibex Valley Volunteer Fire Department, and Dawson City Fire Department, as well as a mobile live fire unit operated by the Yukon Fire Marshal.
Enhancing Emergency Response Training
Prior to the opening of the new training facility Yukon firefighters sometimes had to travel nearly five hours to access similar emergency response training. The Watson Lake structure features four rooms, multiple levels, and dual areas for fire pits—enabling comprehensive exercises in structure fire simulation, firefighter survival training, and structural rescues. This development saves valuable travel time for local first responders and provides a consistent location for advanced fire department training and practice.
Significant Investment with Community Benefit
The multi-room firefighter training facility was purchased using financial support from the Yukon government. Cam Lockwood, Watson Lake’s chief administrative officer, said the territory contributed $245,000 toward the structure, which can cost upwards of $300,000 depending on features. The training facility is equipped to simulate a real house or building for emergency scenarios, including fold-out walls and metal furniture, further enhancing firefighter training equipment and preparedness.
Potential Regional Training Hub
The advanced fire training facility is not just an asset to Watson Lake fire department. Lockwood emphasized that other Yukon communities can now travel to Watson Lake for training, bringing potential economic growth through bookings at local hotels and restaurants. He described the project as a "win-win for the community all the way around."
Facility Nears Completion
While some interior work on the structure remains, Lockwood anticipates the training facility will be ready for use in the coming weeks. The opening marks a step forward for Yukon fire safety and emergency response training, supporting local and regional first responders with a dedicated space for ongoing professional development.
Source: cbc.ca.
