Lakeland College is pleased to announce the appointment of Wayne Rose as dean of the Emergency Training Centre (ETC), effective July 30, 2026.

"Throughout my career, I have believed that applied learning is one of the most powerful ways we can strengthen our communities," says Rose. "What drew me to Lakeland College is its commitment to experiential learning and its reputation as one of Canada's premier emergency services training institutions. I am honoured to lead the ETC and work alongside our faculty, staff, students, alumni and industry partners as we prepare the next generation of emergency service professionals."

Rose previously served as the ETC's section chief, business development and logistics, leading initiatives in business development, health and safety, technical services, fleet and infrastructure management, emergency planning and industry partnerships. Since joining Lakeland in 2023, he has helped strengthen safety systems, expand industry collaborations and enhance the ETC's operational capacity.

“Wayne has made a significant impact since joining Lakeland," says Todd Sumner, vice president, academic and research. "His leadership, dedication and strong work ethic have helped strengthen the ETC in meaningful ways, from advancing safety initiatives to building valuable industry partnerships. We are thrilled to see Wayne step into this role and look forward to supporting his vision as he leads the ETC into its next chapter of growth and excellence."

Rose brings more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning emergency services, emergency management, fire protection, project management and business operations. Prior to Lakeland, Rose held senior leadership roles with Eveready Emergency Response, Sturgeon County, Pembina Pipeline Corporation, Behr Integrated Solutions and Morrison Hershfield, where he led emergency management programs, fire and life safety initiatives, major projects and emergency response planning.

An internationally accredited firefighter, instructor, emergency management professional and Alberta Fire Safety Codes Officer, Rose has delivered emergency response education across Canada and internationally. His expertise includes emergency management, Incident Command Systems, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, business continuity, strategic planning and organizational development.

Rose holds numerous professional certifications and designations, including firefighter and instructor qualifications, wildland firefighting, dangerous goods response, emergency medical response, fire safety codes, training and management credentials, and advanced Incident Command System qualifications.

As dean, Rose will provide strategic leadership, overseeing academic programming, operations, applied research, industry partnerships, student success and the continued growth of the ETC's reputation.

"The ETC has earned a reputation for producing highly skilled graduates through realistic, hands-on training," says Rose. "My vision is to build on that foundation by fostering innovation, strengthening partnerships, expanding research opportunities and ensuring graduates are prepared for the evolving challenges of the profession."