By Tiffany Goodwein

First responder academy at School District 22 aims to create new recruits

Dec 19, 2019 | 6:00 AM

High school students with a keen eye towards helping others, often in the toughest of situations, will soon have the chance to explore careers as a first responder as part of a new district learning academy.

The District 22 board of education approved the new academy that would provide job shadowing and work experience to those enrolled.

Administrators hope to launch the academy by January 2021 and aim to have 16 students annually.

Students who complete the academy will receive their Exterior Firefighting Level 1 certificate and pre-requisite skills for careers as a paramedic or RCMP officer.

The program will also address mental preparedness when entering the field through resiliency training.

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Preference will be given to students in grades 11 and 12 with at least a C+ average. Much like first responders entering the field; students must pass a fitness test in order to be considered.

The academy has already garnered support from the District of Coldstream—and their fire department will play a critical role in helping students learn.

“We are going to be able to have the ability to use the Coldstream fire hall as the training location. These students would be going to this location each and every day for one semester. They would be learning from first responder personnel. We have the use of their equipment. We have the use of their kitchen, the use of their garage, all the personal protective equipment and any other apparatus that’s required,” explained Kathy Wickun, district principle of career education.

Wickun said she’s also had interest from the city of Vernon.

With challenges finding enough recruits to fill critical first responder roles, Lumby trustees Gen Acton and Lori Mindnich said they hope the program will help communities like their own fill the gaps.

“I know in Lumby we are short volunteer firefighters, we are short paramedics, we are short RCMP, so this actually gives students the push to join,’’ said Mindnich.

Wickun agreed and said that she’s seen an overwhelming amount of support for the initiative from those in the industry and members of local government struggling to find enough staff.

“I have had nothing but positive reviews from those individuals in the field and a lot of it had to do with that very reason, the attrition and having individuals trained and ready to go. There is such a thirst and such a desire for people in these careers to help and partner with us. I was overwhelmed by the positive response,” said Wickum.

The motion to approve the new academy passed 6-1 with trustee Jenn Comazzetto voting against the motion following an earlier request to have parent advisory committees consulted prior to the approval of academies.

by Tiffany Goodwein

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