A variety of hands-on, practical training sessions, geared toward front-line emergency responders, including Police, Firefighters and Paramedics. For upcoming dates, visit the Emergency Services Section of our e-Store.
To request a session, contact your regional consultant or, send an email to info@pshsa.ca.
Agricultural Machinery and Heavy Equipment Rescue (3 days)
This course provides trained firefighters with basic auto extrication skills and an opportunity to expand their knowledge of agricultural machinery and heavy equipment rescue.
Carbon Monoxide Identification/Investigation (1 day)
This course helps develop the student-learner’s understanding of the properties Carbon Monoxide and proper investigation of CO calls is demonstrated with experiments and past investigations. Instructor has investigated CO deaths and incidents and will use case studies to explain the how and why of each incident. Participants who take course will have the ability to evaluate each call to find sources, and will be able to call instructor if unable to find causes of future incidents for assistance in investigation.
Clandestine Lab (1/2 day)
The Clandestine Laboratory Awareness training program utilizes our Mobile Clandestine Drug Lab to provide practical, “hands on” drug identification and hazard recognition training. The course is interactive in nature with the participants entering into a Clandestine Drug Laboratory Training Unit. The participants learn firsthand, what a Marihuana and Hashish Grow Operation looks like and how to identify the health and safety hazards associated with these operations. The participants are then led through a Chemical Lab operation typical of a Clandestine Methamphetamine Operation, with a similar goal of hazard recognition and awareness.
Confined Space Rescue: Awareness Level (2 days)
(For the Firefighter enrolled in the Ontario Fire College curriculum)
This course is geared towards trained Firefighters who are responsible for confined space entry rescue operations. This course provides the student-learner with an awareness of confined space entry hazards, legislation and guidelines, procedures and equipment detector selection, and practical rescue scenarios. (Please note: PSHSA recognizes double rope rescue systems only, and cautions against single rope rescue.)
Confined Space Rescue: Operations Level (3 days)
(For the Firefighter enrolled in the Ontario Fire College curriculum)
The Operations level program as per NFPA 1670, requires the rescuer to size-up existing and potential hazards, manage physical and psychological hazards, monitor air quality, and utilize equipment to rescue a victim that can be seen from primary opening and enter space with proper personal protective equipment. All hazards must be identified, isolated and controlled. A victim will be properly packaged and removed from the space. The procedure for planning and implementing an appropriate confined space rescue will be covered for both pre-incident, during, and post-incident planning. The procedure of selection, and use of rope lowering and raising systems as used in high angle environments will be used. Prerequisite: Confined Space Awareness, proof of High Angle or Wilderness Rope Rescue, and First Responder Training. (Please note: PSHSA recognizes double rope rescue systems only, and cautions against single rope rescue.)
Confined Space Rescue: Technician Level (3 days)
(For the Firefighter enrolled in the Ontario Fire College curriculum)
The Operations level as per NFPA 1006, requires the rescuer to be able to do all operations level procedures and equipment, with the addition of working in hazardous situations, utilize all types of rescue equipment used in high angle rescue work-related to confined spaces, utilize all types of personal protective equipment for safe entry into hazardous atmospheres, be able to direct operations into complex rescue situations, be able to properly package and remove a victim from restrictive spaces safely, and to properly implement a rescue in a hazardous, restrictive confined space using proper procedure and equipment. Hard wire communications and radios will be used, as well as air line systems, in conjunction with harnesses and rescue ropes. Prerequisite: Confined Space Operations, proof of High Angle or Wilderness Rope Rescue, and First Responder Training. (Please note: PSHSA recognizes double rope rescue systems only, and cautions against single rope rescue.)
Designated Officer Program (1 day)
Increasingly the threat of contracting an infectious disease is a serious risk for emergency workers. This program is designed for emergency services personnel who wish to become the “designated officer” within their organization, as required by the Ministry of Health. This program will provide participants with information about the legislation and guidelines that apply, and how to recognize, assess and control common infectious diseases in the emergency services.
Electrical Safety for Emergency Responders (1 day)
Based on The Electrical Safety Handbook for Emergency Responders, this training program will provide emergency response personnel with the information they need to work safely in hazardous situations, including fallen or low hanging wires, motor vehicle accidents, emergencies on power line equipment and on transmission rights-of-way, as well as emergencies in substations, underground installations, and in houses and industrial buildings. The one-day course will explain, the basics of electricity, the health effects of electrical shock and the equipment and procedures required to protect workers and patients in emergencies.
Electrical Safety for Emergency Responders - Awareness Program (1/2 day)
The Electrical Safety for Emergency Responders Awareness training program will provide an overview of the information you need to work safely in these hazardous situations. The half-day course will explain the basics of electricity, the health effects of electrical shock and the equipment and procedures required to protect workers and patients in emergencies.
Emergency Preparedness Planning Workshop
An emergency response program will help prepare the workplace and its occupants to deal with emergencies and minimize loss by handling an emergency effectively. By presenting “real life” case studies and demonstrating necessary practical skills, this workshop assists participants in understanding the ethical and legal reasons for being prepared.
Emergency Traffic Protection/Vehicle Response and Safety (1 day)
This course has been revised to satisfy the new Section 21 Guidance Note and also addresses to the Highway Traffic Act that allows Firefighters the same rights as a Construction worker for traffic control. The Act and Regulations pertaining to Emergency Traffic Control will be discussed as well as proper setup in various situations at speeds less than 90 km/h and over 90 km/h freeways. Course can be done on a half day or an evening session.
Hydrocarbon Identification/Suppression (3 days)
This course develops the student-learner’s understanding of the properties of propane, methane, natural gas and carbon monoxide, as well as the hazards they pose to the fire service. Characteristics of hydrocarbons, including ignition temperatures and explosive ranges, are discussed. The relevance of the specific gravities of the chemicals are reviewed with respect to firefighting and problems encountered at emergencies. Toxicity, odourants, and the relationship between temperature and pressure are also presented. Carbon Monoxide and proper investigation of CO calls is demonstrated with experiments and past investigations. Hands on firefighting will take place on the first day.
Propane Emergency Response-Operations Level (2 days)
Prerequisite: Each participant, who must be a trained member of a municipal fire department, must provide his or her own turn-out gear and, if possible, self-contained breathing apparatus with 2 spare bottles.
Rope Rescue Awareness (1 day)
This course will provide participants with the skills to accomplish simple rope or elevated rescues safely and effectively in remote or wilderness settings. Course content includes recognizing and utilizing anchor points using various knots, ropes and other equipment. All participants must be trained members of a Fire Department, competent in the basic use of ropes, and must have written permission from the Chief of the Department to attend the course. Students must bring their own rescue harnesses. Head protection with proper chin strap, gloves, safety glasses, and protective leather boots must be worn.
Rope Rescue Operation (5 days)
This course will provide participants with the skills to accomplish simple rope or elevated rescues safely and effectively. Course content includes recognizing and Utilizing anchor points using various knots, ropes and other equipment. All participants must be trained members of a Fire Department, competent in the use of ropes, and must have written permission from the Chief of the Department to attend the course. Maximum number 24 participants per class. Students must bring their own rescue harnesses. Head protection with proper chin strap, gloves, safety glasses, and protective leather boots must be worn.
Rope Rescue Technician (5 days)
As in the above Operations with added focus being on advanced basket and high line work to upper and lower levels. Technicians should also be able to maintain Awareness and Operation levels of training for the team.
Silo Fire Awareness (1/2 day)
This course is presented through a partnership involving the Ontario Fire College, the PSHSA (formerly Municipal Health and Safety Association), Kemptville College of the University of Guelph, and the Farm Safety Association. Participants learn about types of silos, crops stored in silos, structural hazards, and hazardous chemicals and gases produced in or near silos. Participants examine the characteristics of various types of silos and the dangers common to each. Silo explosions and possible causes are discussed. Student-learners evaluate the effectiveness of various firefighting techniques and are made aware of specific training needs for their departments.
Structural Collapse Awareness (1 day)
This program is designed to teach emergency response personnel how identify the need to maintain the integrity of structurally unstable elements. Students will learn how systems are used to properly transmit or redirect various collapse loads to stable ground or other suitable structural elements that are capable of withstanding additional loading; conduct a proper shoring size-up; identify locations for proper shoring placement; identify the different positions within a shoring team; summarize the purpose of position; identify the different types of shoring components and equipment, conduct proper hazard mitigation activities. Students will also be able to identify other resources in their community to assist in stabilization or a rescue. This level will be the pre-requisite for next levels of course.
Trench Rescue: Awareness Level (1 day)
Rescue personnel operating at this level will be able to perform size up and control hazards at a trench emergency. The student will be able to recognize the general hazards associated with trench and excavation emergencies and procedures necessary to evaluate these hazards. They will learn how to identify the resources necessary to conduct safe, effective trench and excavation emergency operations, as well as how to develop and implement procedures to activate the emergency response system and manage the site. Additional topics will include typical trench and excavation collapse patterns, secondary collapse conditions, hazards of shifting soil and procedures for rapid, non-entry extrication. The Ontario Construction regulations for trench work will be studied.
Trench Rescue: Deep Trench (3 days)
Prerequisite: Trench Rescue Awareness Level.
Trench Rescue: Operations/Technical Level (5 days)
At this level, personnel shall identify and understand the need for protective systems to do a safe rescue, as well as learn procedures for monitoring the atmosphere in all parts of the trench. Topics include the limitations of supplemental sheeting and shoring systems; procedures for adjustment of protective systems based on environmental conditions; and de-watering, and rigging. This level of training is outlined in the NFPA 1670 and 1006 standards. Working in straight wall trenches, single or double wall collapse, intersecting trench, and L-shaped trench environments will be discussed, and students will learn how to perform procedures and use different types of equipment to make the rescue area safe, including approved engineering practices and knowledge of soil types, ventilation and other hazards. Rescue procedures discussed include assessing mechanisms of entrapment and methods of victim removal. All sections of the Ontario Health and Safety Act and the Construction Regulations will be discussed and utilized before entering a trench scenario for safety of the rescuer.
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Contact your regional consultant for more information