CORCAN’s new wildfire program

^{Participants in the CORCAN’s Employment and Employability Program (EEP) practicing using firefighting equipment.}

CORCAN is a special operating agency within Correctional Service Canada (CSC). It offers the Employment and Employability Program (EEP) to federal offenders throughout their sentence. This enhances their ability to seek and maintain employment while transitioning back into the community.

During the spring of 2024, CORCAN’s EEP began offering training to eligible offenders for the Wildfire Safety Program in the Prairie Region. The training is Type 3 introductory level which provides an ad-hoc fire-fighting force with the basic skills needed to provide support, mop-up and patrol operations when wildfires have been contained. Interested offenders volunteered for the course and the first class took place at Saskatchewan Penitentiary from April 22 to 26, 2024.

The program has since expanded to 3 other facilities in the Prairie Region: Willow Cree Healing Lodge, The Regional Psychiatric Center, and Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge. After 1 full year of the program’s existence, 60 offenders have successfully completed their training over 7 separate sessions to date. 

The program is now set to expand again, this time reaching the Ontario region, with classes scheduled for this upcoming summer at Joyceville Institution and Collins Bay Institution.

The Wildfire Safety Program includes 4 days of in-class theory and one day of practical training during which participants gain skills such as:

• trenching
• how to properly use a fire hose
• how to maintain their personal safety while fighting fires; and
• understanding fire behaviour and migration in a safe, efficient, and effective manner

^{Two participants in CORCAN’s Employment and Employability Program (EEP) practising fire suppressing techniques.}

^{Instructor Glen, who is a certified level 3 wildfire trainer, directing a participant on proper spray methods.}

This program provides offenders with the skills and knowledge needed to volunteer and help fire fighters in the Prairie Region. They can use these skills to give back to their community once they are released.

The program has been successful and has received great feedback so far. A participant said, “I learned a lot about what contributes to the spread of wildfires and how fast they can get out of control.”

There is also potential for paid employment for offenders upon their release. Those who have successfully completed the course are added to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency for possible employment opportunities and community volunteering where they may be called upon to help.