A first responder training course is being offered in late May, which is free of charge through the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

"We're always looking, as are most RMs in small communities and small towns, for more people that would consider volunteering their time, and time to also train, to be a first responder," said Rustie Sobchuk, Volunteer First Responder with Lang First Responders, in the RM of Scott. "Of course, many towns and RMs are looking for people. It's not always a call you want to get but it's really nice when you have a full roster of volunteers, people that are trained to be first responders with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. So we're asking for people that are looking for any sort of training to join us." 

She said the training is about 40 hours to officially become a first responder. 

"That's your initial training. It goes 40 hours and then of course, every year you have to re-certify to continue to be a first responder, but those re-cert sessions are quite a bit shorter," she explained. 

The course takes six days and two weekends, running at the Lang Hall in Lang over two weekends: May 24th, 25th, and 26th, as well as May 31st, June 1st, and June 2nd. 

"So Friday, Saturday, Sunday, you're committing for Friday evening and then full days on Saturday and Sunday, for both those weekends to become certified as a first responder," Sobchuk clarified. 

She said the SHA's course instructors are busy, so whenever they run a course, they like to have as many people as possible take part in it. 

"They don't often run those courses, they're not something that's super frequent. We haven't had one in Lang in about three years now, so it's really good if we can have as many people as possible there. It's also better when you have a couple of people taking the course, because then when you do the scenarios and you go through the examples, there's just more people to talk it out with and to do it with."

She said they're encouraging anyone in any of the surrounding RMs that's interested, if they're available and they can make the commute to Lang to join in on the course, they would be happy to have those people be a part of the training course. 

Up to 15 people can take part, and they currently only have five signed up. The easiest way to get involved is to contact Rustie at 306-552-4705 (call or text).

"Then once I get your information, I can send you some more information that you need heading into the course and get you signed up with the SHA."

Sobchuk added, "I think it's really important to mention that first responders are a volunteer position, but it is something that is very much needed in every single community because you never know what you're going to be responding to. Could be a heart attack. It could be a vehicle incident. It could be even an allergic reaction. And it's always nice to know that there are people in your community and your surrounding area that could have an AED, that has a first responder bag, that could be there and help you and support you until the ambulance arrives."

Registrants must be 18 years or older to get certified, and while coffee and snacks will be provided, participants will need to bring a bagged lunch.