Student firefighter program to expand to Pontiac High, DWKS

Student firefighter program to expand to Pontiac High, DWKS

At the MRC Pontiac council of mayors meeting on March 19, council passed a bylaw in support of expanding the existing student firefighter training program to the area’s English schools.

Speaking after the meeting, MRC public safety coordinator Julien Gagnon explained that the two year pilot project at the region’s French high school, École sécondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge has been successful, and they wanted to expand. Over the course of two years, students will complete their Firefighter 1 training, which covers the basics of the trade and would allow them to serve on any of the region’s departments. The first cohort is scheduled to sit for their exams in the coming months.

Gagnon said that they would be offering the elective course for up to 12 students at Pontiac High School and were looking into options to offer the course remotely for students at Dr. Wilbert Keon School in Chapeau.

Gagnon added that there’s a great need for recruits in the region’s departments.