Firefighters and municipal officials from across the province will converge on Central Newfoundland this weekend for the fifth Fire and Emergency Services Training School. I am pleased to report over 550 individuals from more than 110 organizations have registered for the many courses offered. These numbers effectively double the attendance of any of our previous training schools and are a testament to the commitment and dedication of our province's emergency responders.

This year's Spring Training School is being held in Grand Falls-Windsor May 29 to June 6, in partnership with the town of Grand Falls-Windsor and the local fire department. As well, FES-NL has co-coordinated a number of other Basic Firefighter Training opportunities in areas outside Grand Falls-Windsor. Throughout the nine days of intensive classroom and field work, those registered will be able to take advantage of a dedicated team of trainers who are prepared to engage participants in emergency management and fire fighting fundamentals. Courses such as Incident Command Systems and Basic Emergency Management, Vehicle Extrication and Hazardous Materials Training help to equip our men and women with the tools they need to do their job. Our government remains committed to bolstering and strengthening fire and emergency services throughout the province.

These courses aid in establishing a level of preparedness among our front line workers, to try to ensure each and every person returns home safely to their families each night. Newfoundland and Labrador's volunteer firefighting community will receive the required knowledge and skill to protect not only themselves, but the residents of the communities they serve as well.

In addition, to help ensure as many communities as possible take advantage of these training opportunities, the Provincial Government is again making $30,000 available through match training funds, providing assistance to municipalities with the cost of sending municipal representatives to Fire and Emergency Services Training School.

It is through our strong partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Fire Services, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and the province's Professional Municipal Administrators that we've realized such success in enrollment this year. I certainly hope it bodes well for future training opportunities throughout the province.