A dozen volunteer firefighters recently received their Level 2 certifications after completing training at the Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Safety Training Facility. Those completing their certifications are, from left top row: Terry Arnsdorff, Alex Hynes, Ryan Brown, Kelly Widner, Dennis Hicks, Allan Dover, Bo Land and Wayne Robinson. On the front row, from left, Charles Grisham, Dianne Howse, Cecilia Hollis and Keith Reed.

    The road to become a highly certified firefighter can be a long and tough one  to travel. But much like the overall decision to enter the fire service family, it is one that is well worth the effort.

    Beginning in February, 12 volunteer firefighters began their Level 2 certification class to further their education in the fire service. The class consisted of classroom and hands-on activities totaling 38 hours of instruction and testing. Virtually all of the training was done on their own free time and the only compensation they received was the knowledge and experience they gained from the course.    

    “These 12 firefighters have recognized the need for the continued education in their professional development and have made the commitment in being the best educated fire fighters possible,” said Allan Dover, coordinator for the Lauderdale County Fire Service.

    The path to this level was 78 hours of instruction in Firefighter 1. Many of these students will continue on the path of professional development to achieve a Mississippi Certified Level 1 NFPA 1001 based certification certificate, which will consist of 78 hours of Level 1, 38 hours of Level 2, 32 hours of IFSAC accredited Hazardous Material Awareness/ Operations, and 40 hours of Mississippi Emergency Medical Responder training.

    Dover said currently only a few in the state have achieved this goal and as of April 2, three in Lauderdale County have met the requirements and will be filing for the NFPA 1001 certification.

    “As the fire coordinator of Lauderdale County, I would like to thank my eleven fellow students for their commitment to educating themselves and express my congratulations on achieving this elevated level of professional development,” Dover said. “I would also like to thank the instructors of this course. They brought a high level of professionalism and knowledge to the course that only enhanced the education these firefighters received.”

    The instructors for this course, held at the Meridian/Lauderdale County Public Safety Training Facility on Sandflat Road, consisted of Meridian Homeland Security Director Tim Miller, Eddie Ivy, and Meridian Fire Department personnel, Lead Instructor Chief Ricky Leister (who is the Meridian Fire Department Training Chief), Capt. Mike Sims, and Firefighter 2 Scott Young.    

    Dover said the commitment of both the firefighters and the instructors associated with the course will make the Lauderdale County Fire Service a better qualified and safer firefighting force.

    “Everything these men have learned will get passed on to their department mates in the future,” Dover said. “So this training will continue and will enhance each department as time goes by.”