Wildfire Supression Training Underway In P.G.

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C.- Eighty candidates will undergo wildfire suppression training in Prince George as part of the Province's Emergency Firefighter Training program, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell and Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond announced today.

"We've had an overwhelming response from individuals seeking to upgrade their skills, gain experience and support our world-class fire fighting team," said Bell. "The fire season hit harder and earlier than average, so we're taking this opportunity to increase our wildfire-fighting capacity should we need additional resources this summer."

The two-day course is a comprehensive introduction to wildfire suppression work, combining classroom theory with a hands-on field component. Once trained, individuals with a valid S-100 certificate will be placed on an availability list to assist fire centres and suppression
contractors if existing resources are fully utilized and contingency resources are needed.

The first training session begins today, with subsequent training sessions tentatively scheduled for July 23 and 24, July 24 and 25 and July 27 and 28.

"Protecting people and communities is the Province's number one priority during the fire season," said Bond. "Training additional personnel who will be available for service if they are needed is important for the Province and for the trainees as well."

When deployed, emergency firefighters earn $15 per hour and typically perform mop-up, patrols, camp demobilization and other support functions under the supervision of experienced personnel.

The program's application process in now closed, with approximately 700 applications received from communities across B.C.

The program, which targets unemployed forest workers and First Nations, is expected to cost $250,000 and is being co-ordinated by the Ministry of Forests and Range, Wildfire Management Branch.

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