Testimonials
"FESTI’s facilities rank with the best. The outdoor training structures take you through your paces and prepare you for real-life scenarios."
Gary Renaud, Senior Airport Fire Officer with the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Services, L.F. Wade International Airport, Bermuda.
The professional manner of the staff at FESTI is immediately evident and because of our long standing relationship, we are able to speak with them on a personal level, as well as a professional one. We are friends as well as compatriots and clients, which has encouraged our confidence in FESTI.
Once a training course has been completed at FESTI, we conduct an assessment about the condition on which the courses are delivered, the accommodations and how our people are treated. I am pleased to report that we have never had a negative assessment and that in itself assures me that our choice of FESTI is correct.
In my estimation, FESTI ranks with the best. It meets our current needs and objectives and we anticipate those needs to expand considerably in the future. FESTI is working with us to develop new ideas and new proposals, and to match our training schedule needs. It is a great cooperative effort.
I have recommended FESTI to other fire departments and I would recommend them to anyone for the calibre of training provided. Additionally, I have spoken on their behalf at conferences because I believe they have programs worth investigating and adopting.
FESTI has worked with us to develop a quality program of training and the exchange of information has been excellent. It is a testament to the members of the FESTI team of dedicated and motivated instructors that we have been able to assure quality ARFF services that meet or exceed the requirements for the travelling public that visit our shores.
"I would recommend FESTI to others in my industry. Training at FESTI not only aids in the career development of our firefighters, but also in their personal growth."
Vincent Hollinsid, Fire Chief Officer of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service
As a result of the Bermuda Government’s initiative to amalgamate the fire services in the island, I took the opportunity to visit FESTI in April 2007, where I was very warmly welcomed. The facility at FESTI is first class, so much so, that we have decided to work with the principals at FESTI to ensure that all Bermudian fire fighters train through the facility which we deem is second to none.
We found FESTI personnel to be very professional and accommodating. Our hope is to establish a long-standing partnership and to develop an exchange program for personnel between Toronto and Bermuda. We see this as a great development tool for our personnel that will enable them to study operations at a very busy airport. In exchange, FESTI personnel will have the opportunity to come to Bermuda and see the unique challenges of how an Island Fire Service operates at a Category 9 airport.
I certainly would recommend FESTI to others in the industry. I tell my colleagues in the Caribbean that we found the facility to be of good value and would recommend that they train their personnel at FESTI as well.
"I have visited other facilities and FESTI is one of the best in North America - it’s top notch. FESTI worked with me to develop a course plan built around my group’s specificneeds."
Derrick Manning, Deputy Fire Chief ’ Albian Oil Sands
I’m the deputy fire chief for an oil sands company and our major response is medical and fire in a process plant. What brought us to FESTI is that our company built a runway and now we are involved in aircraft firefighting. A group of my guys had never taken any aircraft firefighting courses, so I worked with FESTI to develop a course plan built around my specific needs. They were flexible and provided training at both FESTI and Albian.
I’ve visited facilities in the United States and in Canada and believe FESTI is one of the best facilities in North America. I live in Alberta and it’s more cost effective for me to send guys to Toronto than it is to send them to a site in my own province to do the same training. Quality instruction is the first thing I look at. My people have told me that FESTI instructors are clear, concise and really know their topics. The second thing is the facility; FESTI is a top notch facility that is brand new and environmentally friendly. Last but not least are the vehicles – these guys train in some of the best. If there’s an issue, they have lots of vehicles as back up.
We will continue to send guys to FESTI. It’s a top notch facility, professionally run, with access to lots of equipment, provided in an environmentally responsible facility. All of these benefits gave us the best bang for our buck.
"The instructors were highly qualified, and after this training, I can confidently say I am prepared for the unexpected."
Christian Lamoureux, Captain Emergency Services Coordinator - Albian Oil Sands (Took the 1003 course and driver course at FESTI)
First impressions count the most and when I toured FESTI it was obvious to me that the people working there had a lot of experience and respected each other, the facility, the service and most importantly the students. A brand new facility is always very appealing and the course content was very pertinent to what we were looking for.
From a personal perspective, my father has been in the fire service for 40 years, and I told him that this was the best training I’ve taken, and the most fun. Driving the big crash trucks is something entirely new and exciting. The instructors are very personable, and we were serious when we needed to be serious, yet we had a lot of good laughs and a lot of good fun, in a very safe working environment. FESTI offers quality training in a very safe environment. Not only have I retained the method of doing things, the training at FESTI has allowed me to become more versatile and has expanded my career opportunities. Overall, I was very impressed with the training that FESTI provided.
"I left the session with a deeper knowledge of all areas talked about on Saturday and I am looking forward to continuing the training".
Edward Sacrey Indalco Alloys - Division of Lincoln Electric
I have attended countless training sessions of this nature however I've yet to encounter two more qualified persons in the teaching position. Both of these gentlemen took a program as redundant as W.H.I.M.S and made it fresh. In my opinion money well spent.
"The FESTI centre is a world class training centre with highly qualified staff located in Canada. Their facilities and professional staff highlight the competencies of the Canadian Fire Service in general and reflect positively on Canada."
The Canadian Police Research Centre received a contract from the federal government to manage funds for research that would benefit the three emergency response services. ARA Safety made a grant submission to partner with a fire service organization to evaluate the effectiveness of the ARA Safety Pro™ device to suppress basement fires and thus substantially reduce the risk to fire fighters responding to such fires. This project was funded by the Canadian Police Research Centre.
The project team wishes to thank the Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute (FESTI) personnel for their assistance in completing the requirements of this project. In particular, the team wishes to thank Chief Training Officer Brian Ross for his professionalism and ability to find resources needed for the successful completion of this project.