The Manitoba Emergency Services College (MESC) offers training for individuals seeking a rewarding career in Emergency Services. The Public Emergency Responder Certifications (PERC) will provide individuals the opportunity to specialize as either a Fire Fighter or as a Primary Care Paramedic (PCP).  Specialty training courses in the areas of Rescue, Inspection, and Hazardous Materials are also available.

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

Candidates receive pre-employment training in pertinent areas of emergency response as it relates to today’s emergency service. All training is accredited through either the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) or the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC). Each program covers a wide range of topics emphasizing hands-on application of the many theories and concepts using conventional and state of the art technologies.

Primary Care Paramedic Certification (24 weeks) 

Delivery: Full-time

Class Size: 16 candidates

Description:  The PCP Certification is designed to provide training and education to individuals interested in a career with municipal or industrial Emergency Medical Services.

This full-time program is delivered over a 24-week period. The theory portion of the program is presented either in Winnipeg, or at MESC in Brandon.  Clinical and Preceptor rotations require supervised ambulance shifts on Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Ambulances, and in city or regional hospitals.

Course Content:

• Primary Care Paramedic (CMA Accredited)  

• EMS Driver/Operator (complements NFPA 1002 -2003)

• Hazardous Materials ‑ Awareness (meets NFPA 472 – 2002)

• Incident Command Systems 100

• Rescue Practices

• Resume Writing & Interview Techniques

Fire Fighter Certification (16 weeks) 

Delivery: Full-time

Class Size: 16 candidates

 

Description:  The Fire Fighter Certification is designed to provide training and education to individuals interested in a career with municipal or industrial Fire Services.

This full-time program is delivered over a 16-week period. The theory and practical portions of the program are presented at MESC in Brandon. 

Course Content:

• Fire Fighting Practices Level I (meets NFPA 1001 – 2002)

• Fire Fighting Practices Level II (meets NFPA 1001 – 2002)

• Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator (meets NFPA 1002 -2003

• Hazardous Materials ‑ Awareness (meets NFPA 472 – 2002)

• Hazardous Materials – Operations (meets NFPA 472 – 2002)

• Incident Command Systems 100

• Rescue Practices

• Vehicle Extrication

PERC COURSES (Tentative)

Date	Course	Location
Sep 8, 2008 – Feb 27, 2009	Paramedic	MESC, Brandon
Mar 2, 2009 – August 28, 2009	Paramedic	Winnipeg
Aug 31, 2009 – Feb 26, 2009	Paramedic	MESC, Brandon
Sep 8, 2009 – Dec 18, 2009	Firefighter	MESC, Brandon

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS 

Must be 18 years of age at the time of application.

Must complete PERC application form. 

Must provide Resume (no more than 2 pages) 

Must submit a $150.00 application & physical test fee payable by Visa, MasterCard, Cash (Do not send cash in the mail), Money Order, Interac, “CERTIFIED” Cheque, (payable to Minister of Finance) (NO PERSONAL CHEQUES), along with the PERC Application Form. 

Must possess a Manitoba Senior 4 (Grade 12) High School Transcript, equivalent standing in an Adult Education Program, or Equivalency Certificate at the time of application. 

Transcripts from Post Secondary Education or other courses taken if applicable

Proof of education must be supplied. 

Must possess a current Standard First Aid course and CPR Level ‘C’ course (16 hours) at the time of application. Proof of training must be supplied.

Must have a valid Manitoba Class 4 Driver’s License or equivalent at the time of application.  Fire Qualification applicants must have Air Brakes endorsement. Note: Some provinces may have other license requirements.  Candidates are responsible for those requirements.

Proof of drivers licence and drivers abstract must be supplied, current within 6 months.

Must submit a Vision Check Form signed by your Optometrist at the time of application.  Form is available on the MESC website. 

Meeting the National Fire Protection Association Standard (NFPA) 1582 – 2003 Edition for vision;

Visual Acuity:  Far visual acuity is at least 20/40 binocular, corrected with contact lens or spectacles.

  * Far visual acuity uncorrected is at least 20/100 binocular for wearers of hard contacts or spectacles.

* Successful long-term soft contact lens wearers (that is, 6 months without a problem) are not subject to the uncorrected standard.

Color perception:              Normal – passes Ishihara Test

                                             Acceptable – passes Farnsworth D-15

Must submit a Medical Clearance Form at the time of application signed by your Doctor.  Form is available on the MESC website.

 

 

FEES AND EXPENSES

Paramedic Certification Program Tuition Fee is $8, 500.00 (subject to change without notice). 

Fire Fighter Certification Program Tuition Fee is $8, 500.00 (subject to change without notice). 

Additional costs such as textbooks, coveralls, safety shoes, gloves, fire fighter boots, stethoscope, station wear, insurance, and travel will cost approximately $1,500.00 and candidates should budget for this. Candidates are responsible for their own accommodations while taking this program. 

SELECTION 

Applications for the Certification Programs are accepted o­n a continuous basis. Upon submission of a complete application and payment of the application fee, applicants will be notified regarding the selection process.  The selection process consists of; 

• Physical Ability Test (CPAT or EPT).

• Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) written examination.

• Interview discussion.

Applicants achieving the highest scores during this selection process are accepted into the Certification Programs. After the selection process, applicants will be advised of their application status.

The selection process for a Certification Program will be closed when the maximum numbers of students have accepted a place in the Program. 

Failure to meet the minimum requirements of any step will result in the disqualification of the applicant from further consideration for the duration of the selection process.  Applicants will be allowed only one attempt at any step per selection process.

Applications may remain on file with MESC and may be reviewed and re-entered into the next selection process.  Applicants are required to keep their application requirements current.  MESC reserves the right to reject any and all applicants and impose deadlines and expiries on applications.

ACCEPTANCE

Upon selection, students will be required to provide the necessary textbooks, uniforms, equipment and personal protective equipment. 

Upon selection  

·      Obtain a Criminal Record check (current within 6 months)

·      Obtain a Child Abuse Registry check (current within 6 months)

 

Upon selection provide a tuition deposit of $1,500.00. The tuition deposit is non-refundable and will be applied to total tuition fees.

REFUNDS

Refunds will be considered as per the Public Fire Paramedic Program Policy.  These policies will be outlined by letter throughout the selection process. 

Applicants, please note the following:

PLEASE READ BROCHURE CAREFULLY.  IMPROPER APPLICATIONS WILL BE RETURNED WITHOUT NOTICE.

All fees are subject to change without notice.  The Manitoba Emergency Services College reserves the right to change the program, application, selection process and testing as industry and standards deem necessary.

 

Information contained in the application is personal and will ONLY BE DISCUSSED with the INDIVIDUAL MAKING APPLICATION.

   

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Any candidate wishing to submit a grievance during the physical tests may do so by putting it in writing to the Director of the Manitoba Emergency Services College. Grievances must be submitted in writing by the end of the following business day after the test date. A written response to the grievance will be provided within 5 business days of receipt of the grievance.  Grievances will not be accepted by telephone.

Testing Information 

CANDIDATE PHYSICAL ABILITY TEST (CPAT) 

This test is for applicants who are applying for the firefighter or paramedic qualification.  This Candidate Physical Ability Test consists of eight (8) separate events.  The CPAT is a sequence of events requiring you to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a controlled continuous manner.  

This is a pass/fail test based on a validated maximum total time of 10 minutes and 20 seconds.

All props were designed to obtain the necessary information regarding your physical ability.  The tools and equipment were chosen to provide the highest level of consistency, safety and validity in measuring your physical abilities. The events and distances between events are always the same. 

All CPAT info is available at two (2) advertised orientation sessions as well as the MESC website, http://www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca/courses_pfpp_s2.html  A fee of $100 is included as part of your application fee.

EMS PHYSICAL TEST (EPT)

This test is for applicants who are applying for the paramedic qualification. This EMS Physical Test consists of seven (7) separate events.  The EPT is a sequence of events requiring you to progress along a predetermined path from event to event in a controlled continuous manner.

This is a pass/fail test based on a maximum total time of 13 minutes and 40 seconds. 

All props were designed to obtain the necessary information regarding your physical ability.  The tools and equipment were chosen to provide the highest level of consistency, safety and validity in measuring your physical abilities. The events and distances between events are always the same.

All EPT info is available at two (2) advertised orientation sessions as well as the MESC website.  A fee of $100 is included as part of your application fee. 

EMS Physical Test - click for full description in a pdf document

CANADIAN ADULT ACHIEVEMENT TEST (CAAT) 

This test will examine knowledge and ability in several academic areas.  Candidates must present photo identification at the time of testing. This is a timed test covering the following areas: 

Vocabulary ‑ assesses knowledge and understanding of words that are frequently used by adults in their work and daily activities. 

Reading Comprehension ‑ measures the examinee’s comprehension of written material.  The reading passages include material of a functional nature and material of an educational nature, testing literal and inferential comprehension. 

Spelling ‑ includes words which are representative of the types of words that adults need in written communication and words which sample the most common phonetic and structural principles of spelling.