OPFES Web Site

Mission
The goal of the Oliver Paipoonge Fire and Emergency Services Training Department is to ensure that all firefighters and prospective firefighters meet and exceed the performance standards outlined in the Ontario Firefighter Standards and in our own Standard Operating Guidelines. We are committed to making our fire service efficient, effective and most importantly, safe for our members and the public we serve. Starting with initial recruit training through to continuing education and recertification for senior firefighters, we offer a challenging training program based on the Ontario Firefighter Standards, our own standard operating guidelines, assistance through the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal, and safety legislation and guidelines such as the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Section 21 Guidance Notes.

Training Department Structure
The training department consists of three officers: a senior training officer and two training officer assistants. In addition, the department is supplemented with more department members who are certified trainer / facilitators for the OFM, allowing them to act as instructors or facilitators for training exercises.

The duties of the training officers include preparing and delivering training lessons, preparing guidelines for the department, compiling accurate records of all fire and first response training activities, conducting research into firefighting issues and new practices, monitoring the department to see where improvement or reinforcement of skills are needed, furthering their own training and participating in Zone Training initiatives.

Training Program
The OPFES Firefighter Training Program has been adapted from a variety of sources and agencies to reflect the needs of our department and the municipality as a whole. The program details three separate stages of learning, starting from recruit or entrance level, working to a trainee firefighter and finally finishing as a firefighter who continues to maintain currency and learn new skills. The curriculum itself includes courses developed by our department specifically for our department as well as Component 1 of the OFM / OFC’s Firefighter Curriculum for core firefighting skills and knowledge. We also have firefighters and officers completing senior level courses from the Ontario Fire College including the Company and Prevention Officer Programs. We utilize a variety of resources from agencies such as the Ontario Officer of the Fire Marshal, International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) , National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), VFIS, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, Municipal Fire Service Instructors Association and many more.

OPFES training lessons, quizzes and more are available in the OPFES Member's Area.

If you have any comments or concerns, or you live in the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge and wish to apply as a volunteer firefighter or first responder, please email us at training@opfes.com.