Training Opportunities for Emergency Management and Fire Protection Services Released

Continuing the Provincial Government’s commitment to provide quality emergency response training for the municipal sector, Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador (FES-NL) outlined upcoming training opportunities in both emergency management and fire protection services.

“We are once again pleased to offer access to fundamental fire protection and emergency management training opportunities,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services. “In addition to regional course offerings in emergency management, those interested also have the opportunity to participate in the Fire and Emergency Services Training School in May. Once again, we are excited to partner with the town of Grand Falls–Windsor and their fire department to highlight the importance of proper training to ensure the personal safety of municipal staff and in turn, the safety of residents.”

Information packages are being provided to communities and emergency response agencies this week outlining the following course offerings:

• FES Training School, May 25 to 31, Grand Falls – Windsor. More than 40 courses are available, including Pump Operations, Basic Emergency Management, and a new course in Fire Operations in the Wildland/Urban Interface;
• The 2013 Winter/Spring Emergency Management Training Schedule;
• Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations Training, and;
• Seminar and Program Descriptions, Spring 2013.

All courses are offered at no cost to officials and volunteers in communities throughout the province and are open to members of municipal councils, fire departments, public works, maintenance personnel and emergency response organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations.

“These courses and our FES training schools strengthen the level of emergency response throughout our communities,” noted Minister O’Brien. “I continue to be encouraged and pleased to see our partners and firefighters taking responsibility for their own safety and leading their communities by example.”

In addition to course instruction at FES training school, FES-NL will also conduct certification testing in a number of program areas which are accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress. Firefighters who are successful in their testing will receive certification which is recognized internationally. Cost-shared funding may be available and participants are encouraged to contact the Professional Municipal Administrators offices at 709-726-6405 for more information.

More information on registration, course scheduling, and locations can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/fes/training

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Media contact:
Cheryl Gullage
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services – Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 631-9962
CherylGullage@gov.nl.ca 

2013 02 14             10:45 a.m.