A partnership between Conestoga and the Region of Waterloo has resulted in a unique project that provides future paramedics and firefighters with opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge under real-world conditions.
The grand opening of Canada’s only EMS station to be situated on a college campus was celebrated today at Conestoga’s Doon campus. The facility provides an operating station for the Region in southwest Kitchener as well as access to advanced care paramedic training for Region staff. The station is also used to provide training for Conestoga students in paramedic and pre-service firefighter programs, who work with their own on-site training vehicles and experience first-hand what’s involved in emergency preparedness, emergency service dispatch, and the care and maintenance of equipment
The three-bay facility includes the William and Doreen Motz Emergency Services Training Bay, where students and faculty work alongside the Region’s professional first-responders.
“The new EMS facility is a tremendous example of the experiential learning model that helps prepare Conestoga students for career success,” said Conestoga President John Tibbits. “We are very grateful to the Region for their partnership in this project, and to William and Doreen Motz for their support in the development of this essential learning and service facility.”
“This project builds on a long-standing relationship between the Region’s emergency services and the College, including having students ride with and learn from paramedics on actual calls and fire student use of Waterloo Region Emergency Services Training and Research Complex (WRESTRC) for live fire and other training,” said Regional Chair Ken Seiling. “Additionally, this enables the Region’s paramedics to take advantage of formal training opportunities at the College as well as use of the College’s sophisticated Simulation Lab.“
The EMS station is one of multiple campus expansion projects undertaken through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, a federal initiative to renew Canada’s college and university infrastructure.
Conestoga is Ontario’s fastest growing college, with a comprehensive range of career-focused programs to meet the needs of learners and industry in our rapidly changing community. For more information, visit www.conestogac.on.ca
For media inquiries, contact Brenda Cassidy, 519-748-5220 ext 3336, bcassidy@conestogac.on.ca