PTMS is offering a special three-day practical responder refresher and skills-development session in Canso for up to 12 current responders on PTMS’s responder list.

This is not new-responder onboarding. The session is intended to refresh core response skills, provide meaningful hands-on practice, and support continued progression within the PTMS responder program.

Who should register

Current PTMS responders who remain interested and available for spill-response callouts and continued training;
Responders who can attend the complete three-day session from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day; and
Responders at any experience level. Participants will not be pre-sorted by experience, and the training will be adapted to the group.

Because PTMS is mobilizing additional personnel, equipment and operational support to Canso, please register only if you can attend all three days. Contact Jamie immediately if your availability changes.

Training approach

The session will be led by Darin Connors of Connors Diving Services Ltd. and supported by an expanded PTMS operational team.

Darin brings 23 years of experience with ECRC-SIMEC, participation in more than 100 spill responses, and extensive experience in responder development, marine operations, occupational health and safety, and Incident Command System roles.

This Canso session can accommodate up to 12 responders. Participants will work in smaller supervised practical groups and rotations to maintain safe, meaningful hands-on participation.

Training may include:

Safe work planning, field briefings, PPE and hazard controls;
Vessel operations and seamanship;
Containment-boom handling, deployment and recovery;
Strategy booming;
Skimmer and product-recovery operations;
Communications and coordination between vessel and shore teams; and
Other PTMS response equipment and practical evolutions as appropriate.

The exact curriculum, sequence and equipment used will be adjusted to the group’s experience, weather, equipment availability and safe operating conditions.

Registration and attendance requirements

One registration covers all three days. Attendance for the complete session is required.
Registration is limited to responders on PTMS’s current roster and is subject to verification.
Every participant must register individually and receive confirmation from PTMS before attending.
Please do not forward an invitation to, register on behalf of, substitute or bring anyone who has not already been onboarded and confirmed as a current PTMS responder. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated.
Registration reserves a place, but PTMS will separately confirm that the session and operational arrangements are proceeding.
There is no registration fee. Registration through Corsizio does not change contractor approval, timekeeping or invoicing arrangements.
Training may be adjusted, postponed or cancelled because of enrolment, weather, safety, equipment availability, incident-response requirements or other operational considerations.
If you can no longer attend, please cancel through the self-service link in your confirmation email or contact Jamie immediately so the place can be offered to another responder.

Location

Training will take place in Canso, Nova Scotia. PTMS will provide the exact day-one muster location, parking instructions and daily logistics directly to confirmed participants once arrangements are finalized. Training may involve classroom, shoreline and vessel-based activities at more than one location.

What to bring

Please bring:

Your own CSA-approved work boots for comfort and proper fit;
Clothing suitable for outdoor marine work and changing weather;
Any other personal PPE you prefer to use, subject to PTMS confirming that it is suitable for the work; and
Any personal medication, sunscreen or weather protection you may require.

PTMS will provide all remaining required PPE, the spill-response equipment used during training and lunch each day.

If you have dietary restrictions, require an accommodation or need to share safety-related information, contact Jamie directly rather than entering confidential medical information in the registration form.

Questions or registration assistance

If you have difficulty with the registration form or would prefer to register by telephone, contact Jamie Williams at 902-877-3636 or jamie.williams@everwindfuels.com.

[CANSO] - PTMS Canso Responder Refresher Training | September 15–17, 2026