Student firefighter program recognized at Forces Avenir

Student firefighter program recognized at Forces Avenir

On Thursday (October 3), two student firefighters from École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge accepted the Coup de Coeur award on behalf of their class at the annual Forces Avenir gala in Quebec City. The awards recognize the achievements of students and teachers across the province. The pilot project at ESSC is the first of its kind in Quebec, and allows high school students to acquire their Firefighter 1, or basic training, over two years. It was started last year in collaboration with MRC Pontiac as a way to bolster the region’s departments with much needed help.

Secondaire 5 students Talira Savard and Emma Rochon were selected to attend by their classmates, and said that they were proud to represent their school on such a big stage. Both currently serve on their local fire departments (Pontiac North and Mansfield respectively).

Savard said that she wants to be a paramedic when she graduates, and the course has taught her plenty of relevant skills.

Rochon agreed and said that coming from a family of firefighters, she knew it was something she wanted to do.

Instructor Martin Bertrand, himself a long-time firefighter, said that they would be putting the prize money towards better fitting gloves for the students to use. He said that their program got a lot of positive attention, and hoped that it inspired similar programs elsewhere.

The full video of the award ceremony is available here (ESSC presentation starts at 2:52:20)

From left: Martin Bertrand, former Quebec Premier Pauline Marois, Talira Savard, Emma Rochon and ESSC Vice-Principal Gabie Paré.