TORONTO - The Ontario government says it will look into regulating companies that provide safety courses for firefighters and other first responders following the death of a firefighting student during a training exercise last month.
The companies, which offer non-mandatory specialized courses such as ice or rope rescue, aren't currently under government oversight, nor are they required to follow best practices established for firefighters.
The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities says it is now reviewing the Private Career Colleges Act, which regulates vocational training, and plans to propose amendments this fall to include private safety courses.
Some, including an Ontario fire chief and a New Democrat MPP, have called for government regulation to help ensure those taking such courses aren't putting themselves unnecessarily at risk.
The industry has been under scrutiny since Adam Brunt, 30, was trapped under the ice and died during a rescue exercise in Hanover, Ont.
His father has said Brunt took the course in the hopes it would help him find a job once he completed his firefighting program.
