Strategic first-aid training

Mike Effray is excited that his company, Strategic Fire Control, will offer general first-aid training. — Photo courtesy Mike Effray

Strategic Fire Control Ltd. in Cranbrook, B.C., is pleased to be designated a training centre for EMP Canada. Providing general first-aid training will allow the company to expand past the standard forestry courses they traditionally offer.

When the Cranbrook company heard that the local reps for EMP Canada were planning to retire, it renovated training space to meet standards set by WorkSafeBC and worked with EMP Canada towards a new opportunity.

“In the past we’ve gone out looking to get our guys certified somewhere else, so this was kind of a natural step,” said Mike Effray, operations manager with Strategic. “We’d be able to train our own guys but, with the retirement of the other company, we felt that it would be a good business move as well—not just to meet our needs, but throughout the community.”

The full EMP line will be offered, including levels 1, 2, and 3, transportation endorsement and standard first aid. These courses meet WorkSafe requirements and are recognized Canada wide.

Another change is also in the works as Mike Effray has moved to Cranbrook this year, and is heading towards taking over operations from the current owner of Strategic, Gaetan Effray. As an experienced business owner, Mike looks forward to being on board as Strategic Fire Control moves forward. For the moment, Mike is excited for this development.

“We’re going to be stepping into filling that void (left from the retirement of EMP Canada in Cranbrook) and it’s going to be fairly significant for us,” said Mike. “We’ve found, in the past, that the majority of our industry is based around silviculture or forestry, so it’s very seasonal in nature. (With this development) we’ll have an opportunity to keep working in the off-season. First aid isn’t only a skill that’s needed when the weather’s good—it’s an everywhere, everyone kind of activity. We saw that as a great opportunity to expand our already existing training.”