TIMMINS, ON: Northern College released a statement today that reaffirms its intention to proceed with planning for its Integrated Emergency Services Complex. City of Timmins Council announced last week that it was withdrawing from the partnership. “Council has to best weigh its priorities and manage its internal issues – I respect that”, stated Fred Gibbons, President of Northern College. “The decision is an unfortunate one however, to the overall economy of scale and synergies that the integrated emergency services complex could have provided to residents of the east end, to the professional and volunteer emergency services workers and to our students”, said Gibbons.

Northern College offers programs in Pre-Service Firefighter Training and Education, Paramedics, Paramedic Bridging and Police Foundations. In 2010 the college identified a priority need to provide for improved facilities and teaching space for students enrolled in these programs. It was from this particular concept that both the City of Timmins Fire Service and Cochrane District EMS were approached to determine their interest in undertaking an integrated facility, in partnership with Northern College. A joint presentation made to City Council in December of 2013 was endorsed.

“We will continue our planning efforts for a scaled down version of the complex, and we will proceed with scheduled upcoming meetings with provincial government ministers in an effort to secure funding for the project.  I am also particularly buoyed by the recently announced Federal Budget in which $2 billion dollars over three years has been committed to college and university infrastructure projects. I am optimistic that the merits of this unique project will attract federal and provincial funding”, stated Gibbons.

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Media Contact:
Jaret Dicks
Acting Manager of Marketing, Communications and Alumni
705-235-3211 ext. 7230
dicksj@northern.on.ca