Released on December 12, 2013
With the support of the provincial government, two Prince Albert high schools will be offering programming to help students develop skills that will be transferable to other public safety sectors.
The High School Emergency Services Response Training Program is designed to meet the evolving needs of students and the public safety sector. It will help build a public safety recruitment base in communities while giving students wishing to enter the public safety field valuable experience and training.
The program starts in January in Prince Albert’s St. Mary High School and Wesmor Community High School. The training program is a cooperative effort of the Ministry of Government Relations and the public and separate school divisions in Prince Albert. It is partially the result of a recommendation from the Saskatchewan Association of Fire Chiefs to bolster the number of volunteer firefighters in the province.
“We know that there will be a critical need for people in all areas of emergency services, both in a volunteer and professional capacity,” Prince Albert Northcote MLA Victoria Jurgens said on behalf of Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter. “This program is the first step toward encouraging young people to consider careers in fire, police or emergency services and to meeting a growing need for these skills, especially in smaller communities.”
During the three-year program students will learn fire-fighting skills, search and rescue, emergency vehicle operation and First Aid/CPR. When they are finished they will have a Firefighter-Level 11 Certification as well as introductory skills in other areas of public safety.
“This course provides St. Mary High School students with the unique opportunity to help build capacity not only in our students but also in our communities,” St. Mary High School Principal Mark Phaneuf said. “We know our students are the leaders of tomorrow and this course gives a tangible and practical vehicle with which our students can grasp an important leadership opportunity. The collaboration between those involved demonstrates the resolve of this province to provide meaningful opportunities not only at home but right in our high schools.”
“The Emergency Services Response Training program provides Wesmor Community Public High School students with a course that is fresh, exciting, relevant and challenging,” Wesmor Community Public High School Principal Cory Trann said. “But, most importantly it provides our students with the necessary technical skills and work-ethic required for employability in the emergency services sector.”
The High School Emergency Services Response Training Program offers students a unique educational opportunity and hands on experience should they plan to work in the fire or police services, or in other public safety sectors.
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For more information, contact:
Art Jones
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-787-7151
Email: art.jones@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-8412