Bruce Power hosts Bruce County Fire School for first time in new facility

About 60 firefighters from 17 local fire stations took part in the 26^th annual Mutual Aid Bruce County Fire School, held at Bruce Power’s new training facility, on the weekend.

 

The three-day event saw firefighters from all areas of Bruce County gather for mutual aid training. This was the first time Bruce Power hosted the training at its new facility. It provides an opportunity for all firefighters from different communities to share best practices and operational tactics.

 

“It was a privilege to host a number of firefighters from across the county at our new fire training facility,” said Gary Smith, Section Manager, Emergency and Protective Services, Bruce Power. “We are fortunate to have many of our on-site firefighters volunteer with their community fire departments as well.”

 

Throughout the weekend, firefighters took part in a number of training opportunities, which included Class A/B fire training, auto extrication, rural water, and high-angle rescue.

 

“The training was excellent and very hands on,” said Conner Rouse, of the North Bruce Peninsula Fire Department. “It was great to have everyone get together and learn from one another.”

 

Last year, Bruce Power opened its new 23,000-square-foot $25-million fire training facility. It took 18 months to build, and includes a mock-up of a turbine generator, which allows firefighters to practise on realistic scenarios. Propane-fuelled props, producing fire and smoke, simulate a variety of situations, and thermal cameras, located throughout the building, capture video footage and stream it back to a central control room.