Would you like to have the distinct opportunity to learn how local fire departments throughout Upshur County operate and learn what it takes to be a professional Upshur County firefighter? Well, now you can, as a participant in the Upshur County Citizens Firefighter Academy program. This academy will be a ten-week program uniquely designed for Buckhannon and Upshur County residents to enable them
to have a “front seat view” in the daily life of an Upshur County professional firefighter. Every week, participants will meet from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at a different Upshur County fire station and at various other locations throughout the area to interact with firefighters/instructors/subject matter experts from throughout Upshur County. This program is a joint project sponsored by the Upshur County Firefighter’s Association, every Upshur County Volunteer fire department and in coordination and partnership with the West Virginia University Fire Service Extension. What is the goal of this program, you ask? Collectively, we believe this program will uniquely rebuild Citizen-Fire Department relations for the 21st Century in a way that will enormously benefit our entire community. The most important aspiration is to empower participants and presenters alike with knowledge that will build mutual trust and respect within our community. Participants will meet one evening a week for ten weeks to discover how Upshur County firefighters serve our community through a highly interactive, hands-on experience. Participants will acquire a new sense of awareness, and knowledge, concerning the wide variety of services provided to, and made available to them by their local fire department. Participants will also gain exposure to the wide range of fire department programs, functions and learn more about the economic challenges that face fire departments today.
