Emergency Services Responder Training class honours graduates

On the green concrete among the fire trucks at the North Battleford fire hall, twenty-two students graduated from the first phase of Emergency Services Responder Training. Some of the students could be working at the hall in the near future. 

Emergency Services Responder Training is a program in which students are offered, through classroom work and hands-on training, an introduction to public safety careers, such as firefighting, policing and paramedic work. Classes began this past school year and are two hours a day Monday to Friday. The training program consists of three phases, and Monday’s ceremony marked the completion of the first phase. Students willing to continue will do so as they progress through high school.

The graduation ceremony began with comments by City Manager Jim Puffalt, who also read greetings from Mayor Ryan Bater. Puffalt said the program’s goal was to make participating students be like team members.

“We’re excited that we were able to get behind this program and find a way to make this work,” Puffalt said. “You probably don’t know all the work we had to do behind the scenes to make this happen. It was a lot, but it was well worth it to come today and see all your smiling faces here.”

Duane McKay, commissioner and executive director of emergency management and fire safety in Saskatchewan, was also attendance. He offered comments on how the program can strengthen students’ ties to the community and country.

“You will stand taller, straighter, you’ll have more confidence, you’ll be well-prepared to enter into any of these services,” McKay said.

Headrick then presented certificates to program sponsors, and Jim Shevchuk of Living Sky Division and Carlo Hansen, principal of John Paul II Collegiate, presented certificates to the graduating students.

Kolby Heidt graduated from phase one. He said he plans to pursue the trades after graduating, but that the program was nonetheless useful.

“I’ll definitely keep with this and do volunteer fire service,” Heidt said.

Kolby’s father Ernie praised the program’s thoroughness. 

“I think it’s a well put together program that doesn’t just cover one little thing,” Ernie said.

Heidt said he’s looking forward to phase two.

“It’ll be a challenge but definitely worth the time.”

Ayesha Arshad and Savannah Pierre-Weenie also graduated from phase one. Arshad plans on going into the RCMP, while Pierre-Weenie is considering “anything in emergency services.” 

“We’ve done so many workbooks, but we’ve done so many practical things too,” Arshad said.

“It was a really good time.”