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BY HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

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The City of Fredericton and Holland College of Prince Edward Island will ink a deal to bring a 14-week spring firefighter training program taught in Charlottetown to Fredericton.

City council has authorized the arrangement for Holland College to use the city's fire training facility at 500 Two Nations Crossing for $40,000.

Fredericton Fire Chief Philip Toole said the college will use its own instructors to teach the course, and the deal pays for rental of the city's facilities only. Administration of the program will remain the domain of the college, Toole said.

The partnership will allow the anticipated 24 trainees, who are ready for employment upon graduation, to test what they're learning in a controlled setting in the fire training tower facility behind the new fire hall.

"We're really pleased to have this opportunity to join in partnership with Holland College," Toole said. "We feel it's a partnership that we can build on not only in firefighter safety, but in public safety in general."

Public Safety committee chairman Coun. Scott McConaghy said it's important for the city to provide leadership in firefighter training on a regional basis.

"Not only was the intent here to build a facility that would give our own firefighters access to the kind of training that they deserve, but it also would allow us to seek partnerships within the area and the region," McConaghy said.

McConaghy hopes additional contracts with Holland College and other public safety sectors will materialize in the future. The $10.2-million fire station and its separate training tower with smoke and flame simulation equipment was officially opened earlier this year.