Canadore College Becomes the New Canadian Centre for Training Emergency Vehicle

Fire departments across the country are sending their fleet mechanics to Canadore to update and maintain their skills on the latest equipment.

Emergency vehicle technicians (EVT) representing fire departments from as far away as Nunavut are at Canadore College’s Commerce Court campus receiving training on the latest fire truck apparatus. The training program was previously offered at the Ontario Fire College.

“This training is an important component of Canadore’s partnership with the City of North Bay fleet service and the North Bay Fire Department,” said Industry Liaison Don Kerr. “This collaboration allows us to provide training opportunities that we would not practically be able to deliver otherwise. It is great to see such a strong response with participants from all over the country demonstrating the need for EVT training.”

EVTs learning on the latest equipment

The training is being delivered in conjunction with the Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA). FDSOA Vice Chair Terry Stewart, who is one of the instructors leading the training in North Bay, says this teaching is critical because these are very specialized vehicles.

“An over-the-road truck, as we call them, just moves whatever freight they’re going to move,” said Stewart. “For these folks everything they touch on a fire truck is a life-safety piece of equipment, whether it’s the pump or any of the accessories.”

The technicians are being trained on the latest equipment.

“It’s always a good experience to have real stuff that’s being used and not just training or working on decommissioned equipment,” said Feroz Khan, from St. Catherines.

Canadore supports EVTs across the country

The City of North Bay is taking full advantage of the fact that training is now available locally.

“It really demonstrates the importance and the value of inspection and maintenance of fire apparatus, and we’re going to be bringing that to our fleet,” said Darin Roy, Fleet Coordinator for North Bay. “It’s great to be in North Bay to send as many technicians as we can. Other municipalities aren’t as fortunate because of the costs involved in long distance training.”

“With North Bay Fire championing EVT training, this will allow our fleet mechanics to update and maintain their skills to ensure our emergency vehicles remain safe and are always ready to respond,” said Fire Chief Jason Whiteley.

“Through this training and upskilling of employees, the College is supporting the workforce development efforts of fire departments and city fleets across the country,” said Caroline Corbett, Director, Academic Operations and Business Development, Centre of Access, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Lifelong Learning. “We’re excited to be offering the first round of training at our Commerce Court campus, and preparing future training opportunities as part of this ongoing delivery”.