New learning hub for volunteer firefighters in Oxford County will bring variety of training [Video]

Volunteer firefighter training will become more accessible in Oxford County as five of its rural fire service groups have turned into a regional training centre (RTC) for the Ontario Fire College.

The Norwich Fire Service along with departments in Blandford-Blenheim, South-West Oxford, Zorra and East Zorra-Tavistock will soon be offering in-house training courses to anyone across the province who wants to work as a volunteer firefighter. 

“It’s an excellent opportunity for us, everyone’s very excited because it’s going to mean a greater variety of training we’ll be able to offer within our own departments,” said Derek Van Pagee, director of fire services for the Township of Norwich, east of London. 

The RTC also means that the Ontario Fire College will now fund the municipalities to pay instructors and course developers. Previously, the fire departments would have to pay their instructors out of pocket, Van Pagee said. 

As of 2022, the …