Fort McMurray, Sept 15 2018 – On September 18, 2018 the Mayor, Mr. Don Scott QC, along with over 50 attendees were present at the opening of St John Ambulance’s new Training and Community Service centre in Fort McMurray. In attendance were Gail and Edward Piercey, the parents of Adam Piercey, the young worker who died tragically in a work place incident in 2009.

The new facility offers three modern classrooms, increased parking and improved training facilities for community services. Up until 2018, St John Ambulance shared space with the Boys and Girls Club and before then a log cabin on McDonald Island. “The time was right for a new facility to meet our expanded course selection, commitment to the community and customer needs.” said David Hook, CEO of St John Ambulance, Alberta Council.

St John has been training members of the Wood Buffalo community since 1971 and in Alberta since 1897. Proceeds from training are reinvested back into the community through programs such as Medical First Response, Therapy Dog, Emergency Disaster Response and other critical services.  With this new facility, instructors, volunteers and those taking these lifesaving courses will receive a cutting edge training experience and the community will benefit from better housed, highly skilled volunteers.