November 13, 2025 — With support from local industry and the Ontario Fire College, Sarnia Fire Rescue Service crews are spending this week honing their skills, ensuring when emergency strikes, they continue to offer best in class response.
The service is extending its thanks to TransAlta this week after the corporation stepped up to provide secure and safe space for Sarnia Fire Rescue Service to welcome one of the Ontario Fire College’s Mobile Live Fire Training Units.
The unit simulates realistic fire ground conditions, including real fire, heat, humidity, low visibility, and theatrical smoke. These elements create a controlled yet challenging environment that closely mirror conditions that firefighters face on scene in real emergencies. By replicating these conditions in training, the units help firefighters build critical skills including those in fire suppression, search and rescue, communications, and situational awareness.
“Live fire training is always advantageous, it provides more real-world experiences for fire fighting staff so they can continue to deliver the critical life-saving skills our residents rely on in emergencies,” said Fire Chief Jeff Weber, adding, “in addition to that training, working with TransAlta has been a fantastic demonstration of the ongoing cooperation between our service and local industry, their support has been a tremendous asset in moving forward training opportunities such as these.”
“At TransAlta, we believe it’s important to get to know your friends before you need them,” said Justin Hagan, Safety and Emergency Response Coordinator at TransAlta. “Building strong relationships with local emergency services and supporting community training like this reflects the TransAlta way — being proactive, collaborative, and giving back to the community we’re proud to be part of. Participating in initiatives like this aligns perfectly with our corporate values, Sarnia BASES Mutual Aid partnership, and our ongoing commitment to safety, teamwork, and community collaboration.”
Training is being conducted between Nov. 11 and Nov 14, with all four shifts of Sarnia Fire Rescue staff participating.
