Caledon designated as a Regional Fire and Emergency Training Centre

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon is now home to a regional training centre for first responders.

On October 28, Caledon Fire and Emergency Services personnel Mayor Annette Groves and members of Caledon Council, and a representative from the Office of the Fire Marshal attended a ceremony to officially designate Caledon's Regional Fire and Emergency Training Centre. 

The ceremony was held at Fire Station 309 in Caledon Village; the training centre is directly adjacent to the station. 

Groves said the investment in the Regional Training Centre demonstrates Caledon's commitment to excellence in emergency response training and community safety.

“The new Regional Training Centre will allow us to work with our other fire agencies and partners in the betterment of fire training,” said Groves. “Caledon, as you know, is poised to grow to 300,000 residents by 2051 and with that comes the responsibility to staff an exceptional team of first responders to keep Caledon residents and visitors safe. We are extremely proud of our fire and emergency services. They step up every time we call.”

Groves said Caledon Council is behind Caledon Fire and Emergency Services “1,000 per cent” and committed to ensuring the service is ready to serve the community.

Caledon's Fire Chief, Dave Pelayo, said the Regional training centre will provide Caledon firefighters with access to high-quality training programs that meet provincial standards.

“Training close to home means reduced travel times and costs, allowing our firefighters to focus on their professional development without logistical challenges,” said Pelayo. “We are grateful for the support of the Fire Marshal's Office in this initiative. They provided resources and oversight to ensure that all training aligns with the latest firefighting techniques and safety protocols. This collaboration means that our firefighters will be receiving top-tier instruction that will equip them with the skills they need to manage a wide range of emergencies efficiently.”

Pelayo noted the Regional Training Centre promotes collaboration with neighbouring fire departments and will be a great place for joint training exercises.

“The spirit of cooperation ensures that our teams are ready to work seamlessly together when responding to incidents,” said Pelayo.

Specialized training courses such as advanced firefighting, hazardous materials response, and incident command will be held at the centre. It will feature modern facilities and equipment like live-fire training structures, simulation equipment, and classroom spaces equipped with the latest technology.