Saskatchewan residents can once again be trained as certified firefighters in the province. Suncrest College has re-opened its firefighting program in Melville.

Fourteen students at Suncrest College have already begun their National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) training. More programs and courses becoming available this fall.

Suncrest College’s provincial training site, newly named the Saskatchewan Emergency Response Institute, will provide continued municipal firefighter education to train pre-employment, volunteer and industrial firefighters.

Firefighting training was previously available through Parkland College until 2021 when it was placed on hold due in part to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, those who were seeking to become professional firefighters needed to go outside the province for training.

The next intake for the NFPA 1001 program is Spring 2024. Current students will have access to the Emergency Medical Responder course immediately following the completion of their program. Industrial fire training will also be expanded and will prepare students for anything from city fires to basic wildland fires.

Suncrest College was established in 2023 as a result of merging Cumberland College and Parkland College and has locations in Canora, Esterhazy, Fort Qu’Appelle, Kamsack, Melfort, Melville, Nipawin, Tisdale, and Yorkton.

The provincial government is investing $1.8 million to support the programming this year.