Gravenhurst Volunteer Fire Department

Training at the GVFD is as important to the department as fulfilling our response role. The reasoning behind this is very simple. You cannot be effective in your response role as a firefighter if you are not properly trained. The result is an ongoing training program designed to meet the needs of the firefighters and enhance the department's response abilities while maintaining an optimum of safety for all.

To accomplish this, the department trains one night per week, 50 weeks of the year. Station Three trains on Monday evening, Station Two on Tuesday evening and Station One on Wednesday evening. Each session is a minimum two-hours in length and covers theory and practical evolutions. The course program is developed from observations at emergency scenes. In this way the training is current to the needs and interests of the firefighters. In addition extra courses are offered on weekends and evenings in specialized training, such as, EVO (Emergency Vehicle Operator) Facilitator Training, etc. In addition firefighters keep up with their certifications in CPR and First Aid and other legislative requirements during extra courses.

During the inclement winter months the training program consists of classroom courses teaching the theory of firefighting operations, command and control and equipment. This allows the training to concentrate on these "classroom" style activities when operating out of doors is impossible.

During the rest of the the year training takes place outdoors using the theory that was learned during the winter in practical situations. This allows the firefighters to practice in "hands-on" sessions with the equipment that will be used at incidents. Using the community as our classroom also allows the public to see their fire department at work, training to be able to help them in the future.

The Gravenhurst Volunteer Fire Department uses the Ontario Fire Marshal's curriculum in training content and uses International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) and Ontario Fire Marshal's materials for providing the individual course content. All of our firefighters ainingre registered with the Ontario Fire Marshal's Office to complete the Ontario Firefighter's Standards.

Throughout all training activities, the guidelines of the Occupational Health and Safety Act are followed to ensure that all our firefighters return from each training and emergency response safely.

The courses and class sessions are delivered by each of the company officers and senior firefighters who will also deliver lectures or direct drills and exercises.