WELLSTON, Ohio — The Wellston Fire Department Training Academy is taking registrations for a Firefighter 1 Transition course that will run tuition-free this fall, pending approval of a State Fire Marshal grant, the academy said in a training announcement posted to its Facebook page.
The course, listed under state course number 0020-2026-002, covers the objectives for Firefighter 1 certification through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training. It is scheduled to meet Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning Aug. 25 and running through Nov. 21, with registration due by Aug. 18.
To enroll, students must complete a course-specific physical under National Fire Protection Association standard 1582, provide a copy of their workers’ compensation certificate, and hold current NIMS 100 and 700 certifications along with an Ohio Volunteer Firefighter Certification. The academy said the course, including the textbook, will be free of charge provided the State Fire Marshal’s grant is approved.
The Ohio Division of the State Fire Marshal funds Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 1 Transition courses so that approved training providers can offer the classes at no cost to students, with grant money distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and generally reserved for departments serving smaller and volunteer-heavy communities. The arrangement is meant to remove the cost barrier for volunteer firefighters seeking state certification.
The Wellston Fire Department Training Academy, chartered by the state and based at 110 W. Second St. in Wellston, trains career and volunteer firefighters from departments across southern Ohio. Its instructional staff includes Ohio-certified fire instructors with backgrounds as career firefighters, volunteers and arson investigators.
Those interested in registering can do so through a form linked on the academy’s Facebook page, or direct questions to [email protected] or 740-384-2128.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Wellston Fire Department Training Academy.
