Learning First Aid and CPR is becoming an asset to keep and to find a job in most sectors. This is what led the Nuclear Waste Management Organization to set aside funds for the Elliot Lake Community Liaison Committee (CLC) to host free First Aid and CPR classes.
In Oct. the classes were offered and because of the overwhelming response and wait list, the CLC decided to host another session.
CLC Coordinator Brenda Lackie explained that these kinds of courses are usually quite cost effective and it was a good way to help members of the community out.
”To sign up for First Aid and CPR classes to keep your job can be quite expensive,” she said. “There was a bit of money left over from the fund from the NWMO so we decided to host these classes free for the public. We had such an overwhelming response in October so we decided to do it again.”
During the last class in October, Lackie said there were more than 20 students and this time around there were 16. Three of which were employees from Denison.
The fund that was granted to the CLC is titled the Early Investment Skills Development Fund. This fund was distributed in the community for bursaries at the local high schools, leadership camps with the high schools and then the free First Aid and CPR classes.
”For some people, they need to be certified in order to keep their job or to even maintain their job,” she explained. “The CLC thought it was a good idea to host these classes.”
Health and Safety Trainer at Denison Environmental Sandy Myers Ibbitson said it’s a good thing for people to know basic CPR and First Aid because “you never know when you will need it.”
”You could be a witness to an accident and you might be the only person who can help them,” she said, while showing the class new splints. “You never know when you’re going to need it. This will have you get started in helping someone.”
The CLC is hosting a public skate on Dec. 9 from 4 p.m until 5 p.m and they will be hosting their last meeting of the year on Dec. 12 at the White Mountain Building at 6 p.m, which is also a Christmas Social.
”There will be a spread of food from Special Occasions,” says Lackie. “Come see what we’re all about."