As a team safety officer in Quebec, Mr. Blackstone said he had so far only needed to respond to minor injuries including cuts, twisted ankles and twisted knees.
Mr. Blackstone, 56, began fighting fires during his college years when he worked as a backwoods ranger, often getting called in to help with forest fires.
“Because that’s what we did.”The Americans on his team also include firefighters from New York State and New Hampshire.
To communicate with the Québécois firefighters who primarily speak French, he said the Americans had to stop using so much slang.
“A lot of times, if we have a fire that’s growing fast, we’ll call it a ‘gobbler,’” Mr. Blackstone said.
Persons:
Blackstone, ”, ’, Mr
Organizations:
Baie, Mr, New York
Locations:
Saint Lawrence, Quebec, New, New York State, New Hampshire