Province Puts $7.1 Million Into First Responder Training in Oakville

Oakville firefighters are getting upgraded medical training, paid for by the province. At the Oakville Fire Department's Training Campus for Emergency Excellence on November 9, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Trevor Jones announced more than $7.1 million for emergency services and military training.

The money comes from the sixth round of the Skills Development Fund's Training Stream and is split across four projects. Together they are meant to reach more than 1,800 first responders, veterans and military members, covering training for careers in policing, fire suppression, emergency response and security, plus employment supports and wellness resources for them and their families.

Almost half of the total, more than $3.45 million, goes to the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association to train exactly 1,550 firefighters in emergency medical responder skills.

For Oakville that means a step up from what crews carry now. Fire Chief Paul Boissonneault said the department trains its people to the emergency first responder level and will now move them to emergency medical responder training. "So we're taking the skills that our personnel already have, and accentuating them to even a higher degree, so that we can best serve the public at their greatest time of need," he said.

OPFFA president Greg Horton said the funding goes directly to firefighter training and supports the pre-hospital emergency care system across Ontario, alongside paramedics.