The State Fire Academy had a special visitor Monday as U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito stopped by to show her support for the students and see how their training is paying off.
Capito, R-W.Va., said she was happy to visit and see the work being done at the academy.
“We rely so much on our firefighters for so many things,” she said. “It’s not just house fires, but also chemical fires, fires on the road and all kinds of rescue missions.”
Academy Director Mark Lambert said there was a lot of excitement leading up to the senator’s visit.
“In the 10 years I’ve been here, she’s the first U.S. state official we’ve had come for a visit,” he said. “We’re excited to see her, show her around and have her see these kids.”
Lambert said there are more than 100 students from all over the country attending the academy this year, as well as dozens of volunteer instructors.
“We have about 40 kids from out of state and about 100 from within the state, each 14-17,” he said. “We also have over 50 instructors from across West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland and Pennsylvania. They take vacation days to come here and teach these kids the best training possible in the fire service.”
This year also has a record number of female students participating in the academy training.
“There are 41 girls here, the most girls ever, and I think that’s a great way to increase the workforce in what’s been a traditionally male position,” Capito said. “We need more firefighters. We really do.”
Lambert said the students spend their time at the academy learning about important firefighting techniques.
“The students are fighting various fires, like a car fire and going into mobile units that simulate a house fire,” he said.
“We’re able to show them different hose techniques, how to use the buddy system and how to put air packs on. We’re trying to give them a taste of the fire service not just in West Virginia, but in the country,” Lambert said.
Lambert and Capito said they hope the students will go on to have successful careers as firefighters and help increase the number of volunteers in the field.
“The number of people volunteering to be firefighters is going down, and that’s not just a West Virginia problem — it’s a nation-wide problem,” Lambert said. “This camp is an effort to get younger people interested and see they can help their community by being a volunteer firefighter.”
“We’ve got workforce shortages everywhere,” Capito said. “People are not volunteering like they used to for volunteer fire departments, and something like this gets everybody excited about it at a younger age.”
Lambert said he also hopes the students will leave the academy with a better understanding of what it means to be helpful in their communities.
“The main thing we’re hoping for is that they go back to their communities, and whether it’s as a volunteer firefighter or a career firefighter, they’ll have developed a sense of community,” he said.