image courtesy CNC

Prince George, B.C. – There have been  many   folks who  have  expressed a desire to help  fight the fires that are raging  in the Province and  the College of New Caledonia is offering a two  day course to help  people take a step towards their goal.

It has been put together on short notice,   as registration for  S100-Basic Fire Suppression and Safety   must be done  by  tomorrow ( July 13th)  with the program  ready to roll Friday and Saturday of this week.

The program was developed  in conjunction  with the Ministry of Forests and the B.C. Wildfire service.  It  is their curriculum and  their certification.

CNC  Continuing Education Program  Co-Ordinator, Steven Chase  says  the program  was developed  to fill the need  expressed by contractors  who are  often hired by the Ministry of Forests.

The Ministry of Forests  isn’t doing any direct hiring   says  Chase, “The practice is to  contract out additional work as it comes up.”   That work could  be focused on mop up operations once a fire has been contained.  Chase says there has been  great interest from local contractors and it is likely  those who successfully complete the program could find themselves  working  very soon.

The program itself  offers  instruction in:

• basic knowledge of wildland fire suppression,
• wildfire behaviour and safety procedures.

S185 Fire Avoidance and Entrapment will also be covered.  The course reaches  how to size up and evaluate potential fire entrapment situations and how to act accordingly.

Initially, the program  had a  fee of $99 dollars,  but  that has changed.  The College will be absorbing all costs  associated with this  two day  course so  registrants can  sign up free of charge.

Those interested in registering can do so online  by clicking here .   You can also  get more information by  calling 250-561-5846