A vehicle extrication course in MacGregor allowed Austin and MacGregor Fire Departments to improve their skills and knowledge in rescue operations last weekend.

The course provided members from both departments with 16 hours of training.

"We had 11 members from both departments participate in vehicle extrication training provided by the Manitoba Emergency Services College out of Brandon," says MacGregor Fire Chief Chris Leckie. "It's a great course that we strongly advise our members to take."

He explains that the theory portion of the course takes up most of the training before the crew members take to the field to put those skills to the test.

file photo

"With the TransCanada Highway and many high-speed areas in the municipality, it's a requirement to have this. We want to be prepared and ready. Speaking from our department, almost 85 per cent, if not more, of our members have taken this course already. So, we're well prepared."

Leckie adds that the vehicles are provided by a local supplier in the municipality, which he notes is a massive part of a course like this.