Three Escambia County Fire Rescue volunteer firefighters participated in the 16th Annual Northwest Florida Volunteer Firefighters Weekend at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Fla.
Every year, firefighters from across the Gulf Coast and the Southeast region participate in the annual Northwest Florida Volunteer Firefighter Weekend. This year's event took place from Sept. 15-19, 2021. The Volunteer Firefighter weekend featured numerous hands-on training, including vehicle extrication, wild land operations, urban search and rescue, medical training and live fire training.
This training was critical for Escambia County Fire Rescue volunteer firefighters. Those who attended and completed the training took their final steps to becoming certified volunteer firefighters.
"It's imperative for volunteer firefighters to train and become certified," said Escambia County Fire Rescue Assistant Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Aaron. "This allows them to become functional on the fire ground and help the overall mission of the organization. This training also gives the taxpayers the best service possible as a combination fire department."
The three ECFR volunteer firefighters who participated and completed the weekend training were Cheyann Smith (Station 2), Nathan Thomas (Station 7) and William Tharp (Station 7).
Escambia County Fire Rescue proudly operates as a combination fire service, utilizing the talents and diversities of volunteer and career firefighting personnel. Career personnel operate in 14 stations throughout the county. Thirteen stations work a 24/48-hour shift and one station works Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteer firefighters operate out of numerous stations throughout Escambia County. Escambia County Fire Rescue also provides other emergency services such as hazardous materials response, special operations and ALS non-transport.
Learn more about how to join Escambia County Fire Rescue. Follow Escambia County Fire Rescue on Facebook.
(From left to right): Cheyann Smith (Station 2-Beulah), Nathan Thomas (Station 7-Ferry Pass), William Tharp (Station 7-Ferry Pass), and Eglin Career Firefighter Reed Moss, also a volunteer firefighter at Station 2-Beulah.
ECFR volunteer firefighters participating in live fire drills.
ECFR and other volunteer firefighters participating in live fire drills.
