The Hanna Fire Department and Prairie Land School Division (PLRD) have teamed up to develop students into firefighters.
The Hanna Fire Department, over the last couple of years, has been developing a Training Centre to serve the community. They have partnered with the local school division and are in the process of getting a new curriculum approved for area high school students who wish to pursue firefighting as a volunteer or as a professional.
“We are looking at students coming out with their National Fire Protection Association 1001 Level 1 and 2 Certifications,” said David Mohl, Hanna Fire Chief. “This is your basic firefighting training for volunteer and career firefighters.”
He says this certification is very basic and is similar to courses offered at colleges.
Mohl explains the course will be offered to Grade 11 and 12 students, and not only does it give students another option course, but it may actually attract students to this unique program.
“Maybe there is someone in Drumheller who really wants this, they will have to come to school in Hanna,” said Mohl. “Not that we are going to try to poach people from out of the area, but if there is someone who is really passionate about it, they can come and do it for a reasonable cost.”
He also says it adds another dimension to the curriculum especially as PLRD explores an international program.
“There is international potential,” said Mohl. “If there is someone who wants firefighting, they will come to Hanna to be enrolled in that program for Grades 11 and 12.”
J.C. Charyk School vice principal, Kelly Lewis, has been developing the curriculum and is in the process of getting it approved by Alberta Education. If successful, they hope to begin offering the course in the next school year.
He explains they will begin offering the course to Grade 11 students, however, to attain national certification, they are required to complete both Grade 11 and 12. He says course work will be done at the school and practical training will be done at the training centre. Students will not only get the certification but also earn high school credits towards graduation.
“It has been a long time in the works and it is going to be a cool course,” said Lewis. “Being in Rural Alberta and having volunteer fire departments everywhere, these people are always in demand with these skills. Even if the student doesn’t go onto be a firefighter in the city or somewhere else, they will have the skills to join their local fire department.”
