Firefighters and municipal officials came together recently on the north east Avalon to take part in the Fire and Emergency Services Training School. This is the 6^th training school offered since 2008. Having recently assumed responsibility for Municipal Affairs, it was very beneficial to see first hand the level of training our government offers to volunteers and first responders, and to witness the dedication and hard work it takes to serve one�s community on the front lines.

This year�s fall training school was hosted by the Conception Bay South Fire Department, with courses held in a number of neighbouring communities. During nine days of field work and intensive classroom training, over 350 individuals benefited from a dedicated team of trainers with knowledge and expertise in emergency management and firefighting fundamentals. Courses such as Basic Emergency Management, Emergency Operations Centre and Hazardous Materials Training, which I had the opportunity to view during the training school this past month, helped to equip these individuals with the tools they need to do their job. Our government continues to make great strides in bolstering and strengthening fire and emergency services throughout the province.

These courses provide those tasked with public safety in our communities with the correct information and techniques to hopefully ensure each and every person returns home safely to their families each night. I am pleased to see this event was so well attended, especially in light of the fact that just weeks before, many of these people were fully engaged in efforts to assist communities to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Igor. As we can all agree, events such as Igor are one of the many reasons why training and preparedness are of such great importance.

In addition, the Provincial Government continues to help ensure as many communities as possible take advantage of these training opportunities. Again, $30,000 has been made available to assist to municipalities with the cost of sending municipal representatives to Fire and Emergency Services Training School.

In our own communities, all of us around this Honourable House know the commitment and, in some cases, the sacrifices made by individuals in the fire service and throughout municipalities, in the interest of public safety. I commend these women and men for their tireless efforts and I encourage those involved in the protection of our communities to attend the upcoming spring FES Training School, to be held in Corner Brook.

2010 12 16                                                       2:00 p.m.