CAMBRIAN COLLEGE
Cambrian's Pre-Service Firefighter program receives donations from French River Fire Department and Nipissing First Nation

Firefighting students at Cambrian College are getting a boost in their training, thanks to donations of equipment from several community partners.

The French River Fire Department has given auto extrication equipment ("jaws of life") to Cambrian's Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program. The equipment is used to free people who are trapped in vehicles.

The Nipissing First Nation Fire Department has donated fire hoses, nozzles, and ladders to Cambrian College's Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program. Pictured are (left to right): Theoren Commanda, firefighter and Community Emergency Management Coordinator with the Nipissing First Nation; and David Tessier, a professor in Cambrian's Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program.

"The French River Fire Department views the donation of surplus equipment as an opportunity to support the education and skill development of future firefighters," says Roche Bigras, Chief of the French River Fire Department. "Providing Cambrian College students with real-world tools helps prepare and strengthen the next generation of firefighters and other emergency responders."

The donation will increase the training students will receive with the equipment.

"This equipment will allow our students the opportunity to learn and practice their skills, right on campus, through all three semesters of our program," explains David Tessier, a faculty member in the program. "Prior to this donation, we had to rent equipment and practice offsite in the third term only, and usually only for one day. The donation of this equipment is a big boost to the training of our students."

The Nipissing First Nation, just west of North Bay, has donated fire hoses, nozzles, and ladders to Cambrian's program.

"We are so happy to donate this equipment to Cambrian so it can train the next generation of firefighters in northeastern Ontario," says Theoren Commanda, a firefighter and Community Emergency Management Coordinator with the Nipissing First Nation Fire Department. "We believe in partnerships like this so that students can get the best training and work on the best equipment to make them ready to go as firefighters."

"The Nipissing First Nation Fire Department is a great community partner and always willing to lend a hand in any way it can to our students, and we are very grateful for this donation and the ongoing support," adds Tessier.

Various protective gear was also donated by Protective Clothing Solutions, while a fire hydrant was donated by Clow Canada.

The Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program is a one-year, three-semester program that prepares students to work as firefighters with municipal fire services and forest fire services.

In addition to developing firefighting skills, students learn how to deal with hazardous materials, and support medical care at the scene of an emergency. Learn more at www.cambriancollege.ca/programs.

The French River Fire Department has donated auto extrication equipment to Cambrian College's Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training program. Pictured (left to right) are: Roche Bigras, Chief, French River Fire Department; Gisele Pageau, Mayor of French River; and David Tessier, a professor in Cambrian's Pre-Service Firefighter Education and Training, Cambrian College.