Train “Now” Ontario opens in Chesterville

Rural offerings
Medical first responder and first St. John Ambulance partner provider in Ontario Lisa Lalonde-Boucher welcomed people to the grand opening of her Chesterville location on Fri., April 20.     Sawyer Helmer photo

Kalynn Sawyer Helmer
Record Staff
CHESTERVILLE – Lisa Lalonde-Boucher wears many hats. She is a medical first responder, veterinary technician, a North Dundas firefighter and now St. John Ambulance’s first partner provider. Fri., April 20 marked Lalonde-Boucher’s grand opening of Train “Now” Ontario, at 29 King St. in Chesterville.

Despite St. John Ambulance having never branched out in this way, Lalonde-Boucher made a case for the service as a way to reach more rural communities. “It’s a lot better for people who don’t have the time to go to Cornwall,” she explained.

Once working out of a home office, Lalonde-Boucher was finding the business to be growing enough to move into her new location in Chesterville. She offers traditional St. John Ambulance courses, pet programs and equine programs. The location has first aid kits available for sale, and Lalonde-Boucher manages 35 Eastern Ontario event medics out of the building as the Eastern Ontario representative for Tack-Two Emergency Medical Services and Fire Suppression Inc.

Her courses can be administered on and off the property and do not have to follow the traditional ten person minimum. Lalonde-Boucher said she had already completed a few courses before the grand opening with anywhere from two to ten class members.

One course of particular interest is the Introduction to Animal Care, a six-week educational course to offer potential animal care students a taste of what they will experience in school. “Now that Kemptville College is gone there is nothing really offered in the area,” Lalonde-Boucher explained. This course provides theoretical and practical knowledge to people aged sixteen and up.

Train “Now” Ontario is so far offering two first aid courses in May. More information can be found online at trainnowontario.com or on the St. John Ambulance website.