A plan to begin offering a firefighter/paramedic program in Thompson, where members of Thompson Fire & Emergency Services serve in both capacities, will have to be satisfied with moral support from University College of the North (UCN), which says it doesn’t have the ability to offer such a program independently at this time.
In an Aug. 20 letter responding to a July 16 letter from Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook, UCN president Doug Lauvstad said the post-secondary institution wants to see the successful implementation of such a program, but can only offer in-kind contributions towards it.
“While our in-kind support could include space and other supports available on UCN’s Thompson campus, I am sure you understand that UCN does not currently have the capacity to independently offer this program, and we will look to the Manitoba Emergency Services College to lead program delivery,” wrote Lauvstad.
Establishing a firefighter/paramedic course in Thompson is an idea borne out of the Thompson 2020 economic development initiative. Currently, Manitoba Emergency Services College in Brandon is the only place in the province where someone can become certified as a firefighter and paramedic simultaneously.
At one time, the goal was to begin such a program for 16 students this September, but that timeline has been adjusted. Thompson 2020 worked with the City of Thompson as well as Keewatin Tribal Council and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak to submit a proposal to Manitoba Economic Development and Training for such a program. The Churchill Regional Economic Development Fund committed $153,000 to initiate the program, if approved by the province.
UCN does offer paramedic training at its campus in The Pas and has previously offered it in Norway House in association with a private sector training company.