Grant could train future firefighters in Va.

By Anna L. Mallory
The Roanoke Times

PULASKI COUNTY, Va. — Pulaski County's juniors and seniors could get the chance to take classes in firefighting and receive training as emergency medical technicians next school year. And local emergency officials think it could help in recruiting and retaining staff members.

Last week, the county's school board approved a grant proposal to obtain $165,000 from a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant.

If approved, the courses would start in the 2011 academic year.

The school system is working with the county's emergency management department and the eight Pulaski County Volunteer Fire Departments on the proposal.

Its goal is to help local fire departments with staffing.

SAFER offers two types of grants, those that support hiring and those that support recruitment.

The classes would focus on recruiting.

"This is a way that they can do it as part of their school," said Bobby Clark, Pulaski County's emergency services coordinator. "It gives them a vocation they can get into after they get out of school."

Students in the courses would receive certifications qualifying them to hold volunteer or entry-level paid positions on fire departments or rescue squads.

They also will be qualified to further their education in those fields outside the school system.

Clark said recruiting firefighters to volunteer squads is particularly difficult, and successful programs in other parts of the state have been in place for nearly 30 years.

"You can always use more volunteers, especially during the day time," he said.

The grant application will be put in by the Sept. 18 deadline.

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