On Monday, July 9, the media was invited to a sneak preview of GTAA’s new Fire and Emergency Services Training Institute (FESTI)—offering the best training in the most state-of-the-art facility and built with environmental sustainability in mind.

With classes already underway, the media was treated to several demonstrations put on by the FESTI’s current students—some of whom are presently enrolled in the Fire Fighter Recruitment Training Program while others, such as firefighters from Fort McMurray, are currently enrolled in the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter Program. The building can accommodate 160 students and staff concurrently.

The programs at the FESTI meet the stringent requirements of numerous standard setting bodies and educational training programs, making it the ideal location for training professionals from around the world.

These programs, however, are not strictly firefighting related—others offered include hazardous materials, medical training, and fire extinguisher courses, to name a few. In fact, also in class on this day was a group of GTAA employees doing their First Aid Certification Course.

Adding to the uniqueness of the services offered, the building adheres to the GTAA’s mandate of maintaining and promoting environmental stewardship and sustainability. As an ISO 14001 certified company since 1999, the GTAA took extensive measures to ensure that the FESTI incorporated design features that conform to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Rating. Considering the environment at every turn, some of the distinctive sustainable design features of the FESTI include a Solar Wall, Green Roof, and water saving initiatives.

The FESTI consists of numerous training structures in order to be able to simulate a wide range of emergency scenarios, including a Confined Space Building, Rescue Tower, Burn Building and Aircraft Training Mock-ups.

All of these features complement the GTAA’s 15-acre Special Operations Training Centre that is located nearby and is currently in operation. This training centre allows the FESTI the opportunity to provide realistic specialized training in hazardous materials and other related subjects.

The FESTI will open its doors to the public on Saturday, July 14 at 10 a.m. Special events are planned throughout the day, including a charity BBQ with proceeds going to the Children’s Wish Foundation.

Schedule of Events

10:30 a.m. – Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighter Training Exercise.
Experience GTAA firefighters in action as they put out flames on an aircraft mock-up.

11:30 a.m. – Rope Rescue Demonstration
Watch expert climbing skills and rope rappelling demonstration at the Rescue Tower.

12:30 p.m. – Auto Extrication Demonstration
Learn how the ‘jaws of life’ works during an auto extrication demonstration.

1:30 p.m. – Structural Response Demonstration
Test the response time as our firefighters extinguish a fire at the Burn Building.


The FESTI is located at 2025 Courtneypark Drive in Mississauga, at the western end of Toronto Pearson.