Firefighters Train at Mingo County Fire School

MINGO COUNTY, W.Va.  – More than 100 firefighters got hands-on training to improve and build upon their skills to search and rescue.

With 10 of Mingo County’s 11 fire departments staffed entirely by volunteers, money is hard to come by. Departments say that’s one reason they’re happy to have inexpensive training through Mingo County’s 6th annual fire school, sponsored by an extension program of West Virginia University.

The training was conducted in Williamson this weekend and allowed new firefighters and veterans alike to refresh their firefighting skills.

The training costs just $35 per person – much less expensive than training would be otherwise.

Mingo County is one of the few counties in the state without a fire levy that would help pay for equipment and training for firefighters.

Firefighters went through live burn units to put out fires. Some also learned vehicle extrication, or using tools like the Jaws of Life to cut victims from wrecked cars.

This fire school is one of the largest in the area. Approximately 150 firefighters participated this weekend.