MD of Foothills and Town of High River to collaborate on regional Emergency Services Training Centre.
A regional Emergency Services Training Centre will soon be developed, just outside of High River on 60 acres of land donated by TransCanada Corporation to the Municipal District of Foothills.
The vision for the training centre is that it will serve as a one-stop-shop that meets all of the emergency services training needs of the region. The facility will be constructed in stages and be expanded as needed. Looking long term, uses of the land could also include the addition of a new fire hall, as well as an Emergency Operations Centre to be used during emergencies.
“We are proud to donate 60 acres of land from our Saddlebrook Industrial Park to support the development of a state-of-the-art training facility,” says Terri Steeves, Vice President Gas Projects, TransCanada. “As a company with employees who live and work in southern Alberta, we think it is important that the local men, women and first responder organizations who safeguard and protect our communities have the training resources they require to respond quickly and effectively to local needs.”
The goal is to make this a unique and innovative facility that will provide both practical and classroom training to first responders. The training opportunities offered will be beneficial to not only fire departments, but also to police, emergency medical services, public works and private industry.
“We appreciate the gracious donation of 60 acres of land from TransCanada. It is a key step in the development of this important training centre that will benefit all first responders and the communities they serve,” said MD Foothills Fire Chief Jim Smith. “We are excited with the possibilities of the training centre and its impact on the services, resources and opportunities it will offer to first responders within our communities and to other communities within Alberta.”
With the location now secured, the MD of Foothills and Town of High River can move forward with seeking funding opportunities and developing the initial design of the training centre. Key elements of the completed facility will include:
- live fire / burn tower,
- vehicle extrication and burn pad,
- classrooms, outdoor confined space,
- investigation house,
- liquid fire / dangerous goods and
- fire training props.
“Ongoing training is vital to ensuring first responders have the skills required to keep the public safe. TransCanada’s land donation is a major step forward into making this facility a reality and shows their true commitment to supporting the communities they work in,” said High River Fire Chief Len Zebedee. “The training centre addresses a critical need and will make a huge difference to first responders in the region.”