John F. Ross CVI develops new First Responder SHSM program

November 16, 2022

GUELPH, ON – John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute pushes the boundaries of high school first-aid education with its new first responder program.

The program was instituted by the technological education department head at John F. Ross CVI, Paul Lydan. Lydan has a passion for emergency first responder education and has developed a first responder program in partnership with the Specialized High Skills Major (SHSM) Program.

This decision was inspired by Lydan’s work as a firefighter with both Georgian Bay and Muskoka Lakes fire departments, and a Red Cross Professional Responder Instructor.

The program is designed to attract students to pursue careers in related first responder fields such as medicine, nursing, paramedic, firefighter, police officer and the military. Mr. Lydan uses the Ministry of Education Healthcare Technology Curriculum alongside the Red Cross Professional Responder Course to deliver the program.

The course focuses on emergency, pre-hospital care and CPR skills for professional first responders. Those who excel in the program will earn the Red Cross Professional Responder Certification. With this on their resume, these students will have an advantage when applying to post-secondary pathways as it is a professional industry certification.

Lydan emphasizes the importance of giving students a path with plenty of open doors after they graduate from high school into a public sector that needs new people. The program is a balance between theory and learning from doing hands-on situational learning.

Students enrolled in the program do real-life scenarios where they practice their skills and learn to assess a dangerous situation all while practicing methods that will help them keep safe on the scene as a first-responder. Their critical thinking skills are put to the test as they are also tasked with checking out patients, completing diagnostics, and making critical interventions in these scenarios.

Lydan calls the program “one of a kind” and thanks the Upper Grand District School Board SHSM program and John F Ross CVI’s Principal Chad Warren for their incredible support.

The benefits of the first-responder program has not gone unnoticed by the community. Community partners have helped to further enhance the program with the donation of some state-of-the-art equipment.

Muskoka Lakes Fire Department has donated equipment bags and a full class set of firefighter bunker gear, Georgian Bay Fire has donated helmets and helped with other equipment. Wellington Paramedic Service has also helped out by donating some oxygen therapy devices, and helped by getting the program on its feet with the use of some other equipment.

Lydan says that this program “is very rewarding” for him and it is “the best thing” he’s decided to do and “it feels great to serve the community.”