The 2022 season of live training is well underway at Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre (ETC) at the Vermilion campus and now under the tutelage of a new dean.

Shawn McKerry joined Lakeland College Emergency Training Centre on July 4, however he is already quite familiar with the college. A Lakeland alumnus, McKerry is excited to go from a Class of 2006 emergency services technology (EST) graduate to dean of the Emergency Training Centre.

Following graduation, he spent 20 years as a first responder in municipal fire services. McKerry progressively worked his way up in municipal government, serving as a deputy fire chief with Yellowhead County and Parkland County, fire chief with Fort Saskatchewan and most recently chief administrative officer with Brazeau County.

"We are very excited to have Shawn McKerry return to Lakeland College and join our Emergency Training Centre team,” says Tanya McDonald, interim vice president of academic and research. “Shawn knows our programs well and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this position."

Lakeland ignited McKerry's passion for higher education. Following his graduation from Lakeland, he obtained an administration degree from Colorado State University, a master's degree in emergency management from Charles Sturt University, and has now started working on an executive MBA through the University of Fredericton.

"The Emergency Training Centre is a second home for me and although many faces have changed since I was a student, I look forward to ensuring Lakeland continues to offer top-notch and in-demand programming,” says McKerry. “With our EST and firefighter training programs sporting waitlists, it's clear that the demand for these essential programs is high. We're excited to have everyone on-site, developing skills that will serve them well on the front lines and throughout their careers."

Since the ETC training field officially opened for the 2022 season on April 25, EST students and firefighter training students - including the blended (E1) and fully on-site platoons - have been building life-saving skills. They've been putting their education into action with live training in vehicle extrication, structural firefighting, dangerous goods and industrial scenarios, among others.

The E1 platoon successfully finished their combined blended training on June 17, culminating with their graduation ceremony that same day. The second firefighter training platoon is set to graduate on July 15. In August, another platoon of firefighter training students will begin the comprehensive 12-week on-site program. Students in this program experience the operation of a firehall from day one, developing essential leadership skills. The EST program features both a fire and medical stream, and is the only full-time diploma program of its kind in Canada.

As one of the top training facilities in North America, Lakeland also offers a range of corporate training opportunities, including emergency preparedness, safety codes and more, to a variety of clients. Seventeen corporate clients are booked for the 2022 season. Municipal training is also offered throughout the year.

Prior to opening the training field this spring, several upgrades were completed. A new pump was installed at the pumphouse to support ETC's self-sufficient water system. A new push-pull ceiling prop was also installed, which will prepare students for the Canadian Physical Ability Test that is required by fire departments. New breathing apparatuses, cylinders and bunker gear were added to ETC's supply. As well, new vehicle extrication tools were purchased thanks to funds raised at Feast on the Farm, Lakeland's annual event that raises funds to create experiences where students can learn, lead and manage.

"In the height of training season, there are countless moving pieces each day that our ETC team expertly handles to provide the highest quality experiential education as possible," says McKerry. "We're proud to offer our future and current emergency responders these comprehensive, hands-on opportunities to train."

In addition to EST and firefighter training, ETC also offers a bachelor of applied business: emergency services program. Application is open for this part-time, online program. The ETC is also home to professional courses in apparatus driver training, hazardous materials, officer and leadership, rescue, first aid, CPR and others. These calendar courses are available throughout the year. For details, email businessdevfire@lakelandcollege.ca.