BOWLING GREEN -- For more than 30 years, firefighters have been coming to State Fire School at Bowling Green State University to get the most up-to-date, hands-on training in areas including firefighting, officer leadership, inspection and investigation.
The tradition continues May 5-9 when State Fire School returns to the BGSU campus, offering more than 40 classes ranging in length from one-half day to a full week. Academic credit is available for more than a dozen classes.
Courses are available in the following areas: EMS, firefighting, industrial/hazardous materials, inspection/investigation, officer/instructor and technical rescue/extrication.
The courses in technical rescue are a major component of State Fire School and include classes in basic and advanced rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, auto extrication and tower rescue.
Twelve new classes have been added to the schedule this year, including emergency driver's training, EMS instructor, HAZMAT awareness and WMD awareness.
Two evening classes are also being offered, water rescue awareness on May 6 and "Is Your Gear Good Enough" on May 7. Students in water rescue awareness will receive certificates from State Fire School and the Ohio Fire Academy.
State Fire School provides year-round training opportunities, including a fall State Fire School in October on the BGSU campus, fire training programs in Hamilton County and Washington Township, and a six-month certified rescue technician training program. For more information on State Fire School, visit www.fireschool.org or call Ann Light or Kerry Fisher at 877-650-8165.