The Joint Lewis County Fire Academy graduated its first class of firefighters in over a decade on Wednesday.
“Traditionally, fire departments train their volunteers in house. …
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The Joint Lewis County Fire Academy graduated its first class of firefighters in over a decade on Wednesday.
“Traditionally, fire departments train their volunteers in house. Attempts have been made by various departments to work together but it usually doesn't last long,” District 6 Training Officer and District 5 Fire Commissioner Mike Goodwillie said in an email to a Chronicle reporter, adding that he aims to model Thurston County’s firefighter training system, where all firefighters attend the same academy regardless of agency.
“I, the chiefs, and the other commissioners from both agencies have been committed to working together to benefit the community and the departments. Both departments benefited by sharing the costs of an academy. Also, both departments frequently work together on real emergencies so our recruits should start working together from the start,” Goodwillie said.
Eleven recruits from Lewis County Fire District 6 in Chehalis and Adna and Lewis County District 5 in Napavine completed 240 hours of training in fire and hazmat responses to earn their certifications.
The District 5 graduates are Raylee Anderson, Evan Barker, Justin Correia, Willian Taylor and Kyle Wilson.
The District 6 graduates are Cody Clark, Dylan Flack, Kris McGovern, Chance Muller, Riley Richards and Tyler Hart.
Earlier this month, the Lewis County Fire Training Consortium announced it has teamed up with the Washington State Fire Marshal Division to bring the Regional Direct Delivery Fire Training Program to firefighters across Lewis County, according to a news release from the Chehalis Fire Department.
The training consortium collaborates with state agencies and local fire departments, including the Chehalis Fire Department, the Riverside Fire Authority, Lewis County Fire District 2 (Toledo), Lewis County Fire District 5 (Napavine), Lewis County Fire District 6 (Chehalis and Adna) and Lewis County Fire District 15 (Winlock), to enhance public safety and ensure that firefighters have the skills and knowledge needed to protect their communities effectively.
The training program will be offered to all fire departments within Lewis County, with sessions tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by local firefighters. Instructors from the consortium agencies will lead the training, providing expert guidance and real-world experience to enhance the effectiveness of the region’s fire service professionals.