Close to 100 firefighters gathered in Mildmay this spring to participate in a training initiative partially funded by the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), working with two area municipalities in support of the annual Bruce County Fire School.

“We all get together and practise our skills,” said Tyson Kraemer, a member of the South Bruce Fire Rescue – Mildmay Station, of the two-day event. “It helps keep our skills fresh, so when a call does come in, we are ready.”

NWMO Relationship Manager Paul Austin said the organization was pleased to work with both the Municipality of South Bruce and the Township of Huron-Kinloss to support fire school training.

“As an organization, we place all aspects of public and employee safety first, and this investment will not only help to keep our communities safe, but also build the skills and knowledge that are key to supporting community well-being now and in the future.”

The two-day school provided an opportunity for firefighters from 19 fire departments across Bruce County to work through a variety of emergency situations. The participants took part in a series of real-life scenarios, including firefighter chainsaw course, firefighter survival course, pumper operations, auto and bus extrication, farm safety, and for the first time ever, large animal rescue.