WEBVTT 00:00:04.003 --> 00:00:08.633 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% I'm Corporal Jessica Provencher from Rouyn-Noranda, Abitibi-Témiscamingue - 00:00:08.633 --> 00:00:12.971 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% an Electrical Generating Systems Technician based at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario. 00:00:14.055 --> 00:00:19.853 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% In the Canadian Armed Forces, the strength of the military often depends on electrical power. 00:00:19.853 --> 00:00:24.274 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% Electrical Generating Systems Technicians - or EGS Techs for short - 00:00:24.274 --> 00:00:27.152 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:118% make sure that the current never stops flowing. 00:00:27.152 --> 00:00:31.448 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% It's crucial to mission success - and to the safety of Canadian Armed Forces members. 00:00:32.282 --> 00:00:35.577 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:120% You're the person to go to when they need power. 00:00:35.577 --> 00:00:40.623 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% That's what keeps the base going, that's what keeps the operation going. 00:00:40.623 --> 00:00:43.626 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:95% We can be anywhere when they need us - 00:00:43.626 --> 00:00:48.131 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% in the field, in exercise, on deployment - when you can't tap to the grid. 00:00:50.091 --> 00:00:54.596 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% In the Regular Force or the Reserves, EGS Techs are the hands-on experts 00:00:54.596 --> 00:00:58.975 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% who know everything about the machinery that converts mechanical power into electrical voltage. 00:01:00.018 --> 00:01:04.481 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:108% I ended up being an Electrical Generating Systems Technician 00:01:04.481 --> 00:01:08.860 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% because I had an electrical background before I joined the military, 00:01:08.860 --> 00:01:15.492 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:125% and when I got told that this was part-electrical, part-mechanical, I was very interested. 00:01:16.534 --> 00:01:20.955 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% EGS Techs are responsible for the installation, operation, and maintenance 00:01:20.955 --> 00:01:24.751 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% of anything from generator sets, to uninterruptible power supplies, 00:01:24.751 --> 00:01:27.378 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:108% frequency converters, and motor generators. 00:01:30.423 --> 00:01:33.802 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:110% On a day-to-day basis, they spend their time doing preventative maintenance 00:01:33.802 --> 00:01:36.846 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% on the generators to ensure that they're fully operational. 00:01:36.846 --> 00:01:40.058 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:80% Because if the lights go out, the power needs to come back on. 00:01:40.892 --> 00:01:47.023 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% Sometimes you encounter problems, you get called up to fix a generator - 00:01:47.023 --> 00:01:52.028 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% it could be a mechanical problem, or it can also be an electrical problem. 00:01:52.028 --> 00:01:56.658 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% So it's a very wide range of problems you have to troubleshoot. 00:01:59.828 --> 00:02:04.249 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% What I like most about this job is definitely after you fix a generator. 00:02:04.249 --> 00:02:07.502 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% Because usually, when you get called up, nobody has power. 00:02:07.502 --> 00:02:11.631 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:68% So you have to fix this in a time-sensitive manner, 00:02:11.631 --> 00:02:15.134 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:105% you've got to put all your skills forward, work as a team 00:02:15.134 --> 00:02:17.679 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:105% and get it done - and it's very rewarding. 00:02:17.679 --> 00:02:20.431 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:118% You finish the job and everybody else is happy. 00:02:23.268 --> 00:02:26.020 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:78% On completion of their military and occupational training, 00:02:26.020 --> 00:02:28.398 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:75% Electrical Generating Systems Technicians get posted 00:02:28.398 --> 00:02:32.193 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:113% to an Army, Navy or Air Force base in Canada. 00:02:32.193 --> 00:02:37.448 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% I got posted to Winnipeg at first, and over there you're working with a journeyman - 00:02:37.448 --> 00:02:38.950 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:80% there's always someone with you. 00:02:38.950 --> 00:02:44.247 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:103% You start slowly, doing oil changes, checks on a generator, 00:02:44.247 --> 00:02:47.750 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:113% learning how to do the checks on a generator, 00:02:47.750 --> 00:02:53.506 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% and eventually, a trouble comes up and you're working with your journeyman to fix it 00:02:53.506 --> 00:02:56.175 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:108% and that's how you keep going and learning. 00:02:56.885 --> 00:03:00.346 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:100% EGS Techs are an important part of the Construction Engineering division 00:03:00.346 --> 00:03:05.268 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% of the Canadian Armed Forces, working alongside Electrical Distribution Techs, 00:03:05.268 --> 00:03:08.479 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:65% Drafting and Survey Techs, Construction Techs, 00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:12.066 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% Plumbing and Heating Techs, Mechanical and Refrigeration Techs 00:03:12.066 --> 00:03:14.527 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:85% as well as Water, Fuels and Environment Techs 00:03:14.527 --> 00:03:18.114 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% to support Canadian Armed Forces operations here at home and overseas. 00:03:18.489 --> 00:03:24.829 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% You're the first person on the ground, you have to plan where you're going to put the generators, 00:03:24.829 --> 00:03:31.878 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:93% you have to come up with a solution for powering the whole exercise camp, 00:03:31.878 --> 00:03:34.088 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:108% you have to work with other trades as well. 00:03:34.088 --> 00:03:38.468 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:120% It's a really big challenge, you work as a team. 00:03:38.468 --> 00:03:41.971 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:90% You know, you need to figure out how you're going to build that camp. 00:03:46.309 --> 00:03:53.650 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:120% The highlight of my career would be when I was deployed and the generator went down. 00:03:53.650 --> 00:03:57.070 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:95% It's very stressful 'cause you never know what went wrong. 00:03:57.070 --> 00:04:02.784 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:118% You just get the call and you have to run up to that generator and fix it 00:04:02.784 --> 00:04:08.414 align:middle line:79% position:50% size:123% while everybody's looking at you because they can't continue their job until you're done yours. 00:04:08.414 --> 00:04:10.875 align:middle line:85% position:50% size:98% Once you complete that, you feel proud.