THUNDER BAY — The Emergency North Training's annual FireCon is returning to Thunder Bay, bringing hundreds of volunteer and municipal firefighters, more than 45 exhibitors and more than 40 instructors from the Ontario Fire College.
The instructors will oversee two new pilot courses in incident command and exterior attack, along with training scenarios aimed at certification for the participants.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue Chief Dave Paxton said the event will take place between Sept. 9-13 in three locations, which include Gary's Towing, Thunder Bay Fire Training Centre, and the Valhalla Inn Hotel and Conference Centre.
Firefighters will train in passenger vehicle extrication, apparatus equipped with a fire pump, hazardous materials operations, fire instructor, fire investigator, live fire attack, and the Warren Brinkman Being a Leader in Mental Health Track.
He said the five-day event serves as a means to certify new volunteer firefighters.
"Certification requirements do not differentiate between a volunteer or full-time firefighter," Paxton said. "If they are doing a specific skill, they are required to have the certification in the fire service."
He added, "Volunteer first responders travel from all over Northwestern Ontario to enhance their life-saving skills, so they can better serve their communities and help keep their neighbours safe. Their compassion and dedication are unprecedented."
But recruitment and retention for volunteer departments is an issue in Ontario, unlike the Thunder Bay fire service, where its most recent incoming recruitment list had close to 500 initial applications, including some from as far as Russia.
"A significant percentage initially were screened out, and after written and physical testing, we interviewed 32 people in the end," Paxton said. "We will draw from that list over the next two years."
Paxton recognized the importance of the dedicated volunteers and organizations that support FireCon each year. He said the event, which has been returning to the city for more than 30 years, is supported by the volunteer board, committee, partner organizations, and fire service exhibitors and through partnerships with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, the Office of the Fire Marshal, the City of Thunder Bay Tourism Development Fund, and the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs.
"The tools and expertise provided by these people and organizations allow us to deliver an exceptionally high standard of training, whilst also remaining one of the most affordable training events in the province," he said.
Exhibiting companies from across Canada will be on hand with interactive displays of the latest in fire and protection services while providing hands-on access to new tools and lifesaving equipment available for today's fire service.
Emergency North Training Inc., which is staffed by volunteers, aims to develop and deliver educational programs and services for those who respond to emergencies in Northwestern Ontario.
The not-for-profit organization provides training for emergency first responders, municipalities, unincorporated territories and First Nations through its annual training forum, FireCon.
The Chronicle-Journal / Local Journalism Initiative
