Just a week after offering a similar course in Prince George, the College of New Caledonia is offering S100 Basic Fire Suppression & Safety Training Course this Thursday and Friday in Vanderhoof.
“There was a real urgency to building this course for this week,” says Acting Director of Community & Continuing Education, Alison Anderson. “One of CNC’s strengths is our ability to create relevant programs that meet our communities’ needs. Our strong partnerships with community agencies and instructors enabled us to work quickly and pull this together.”
CNC says the course was created in response to requests from industry and uses the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations curriculum and certification. The course is designed to train participants to be able to fulfil contractor roles with the Ministry, such as monitoring fire walls and hot spots after burning areas are contained.  While there are no prerequisites for the course, those with experience as medics, heavy duty operators and reforestation crews may be most interested in taking the course to bolster their ability to serve in a wildfire response crew.
More details on the course from CNC:
This 14 hour, BC Forest Service course covers the basic knowledge of wildland fire suppression, wildfire behaviour and safety procedures. Upon successful completion, students will be able to effectively and safely respond with basic firefighting techniques used in BC.
Course S185 Fire Avoidance and Entrapment will also be covered during the session. Students will develop the skills to be able to assess and evaluate potential fire entrapment situations and how to act accordingly; learn to remove themselves safely from a potentially risky situation; and deploy the necessary resources using safe and efficient strategies and tactics to prevent loss of life.
Dates of the Vanderhoof course are as follows:
· July 20 8:30 – 4:30 pm
· July 21 8:30 – 4:30 pm
There is no fee for this course – CNC says it is absorbing the costs to allow anyone interested and available to take it. A wait list will be created for those who are unable to attend this session.
The first day will consist of classroom training, while the second day will be spent in the field. Participants need to be able to provide their own transportation to the field training, which will take place about 20 minutes from the CNC campus. For Day 2, participants will need a hard hat, eye protection, leather boots with lug soles, gloves and a bag lunch.
You can register by calling 250-567-3200.