19 New Chesco Firefighters: Certified And Ready

COATESVILLE — Nineteen students are ready to put out the blazes in Chester County.

The students completed simulated exercises Monday required to complete a 188-hour classroom and practical skills certification at a time when the need for volunteer firefighters is at an all-time high.

“As with many other organizations that rely on - and are looking for – volunteers, we struggle to replace those firefighters who are retiring out of service,” said Matt Fink, Chester County Department of Emergency Services fire training officer and leader of the course.

“But students like those in this course learn so much more than the necessary academic and practical firefighting skills," he continued.

" They experience the benefits of becoming teammates, working together, trusting each other, and backing up each other, which are all valuable life lessons.”

The students, 17 men and two women, participated in firefighting exercises at the Chester County Public Safety Training Campus here. The exercises covered search and rescue, indoor firefighting, fire attack types, auto fires, dumpster fires, and stages of fires.

The majority of the students are college students who are adding first-responder qualifications to their resumes.

Sophia Crossan, a West Grove resident who is a rising sophomore studying neuroscience at Villanova University, said: “I have been involved in emergency medical services, and while I was hesitant to take the firefighting course, I absolutely love it.”

Eddy Chavez, who has been volunteering with the Oxford Union Fire Company, is a rising sophomore studying business management at Arizona State University.

“With this course, I can take on more responsibilities in firefighting, including going into burning buildings and packing up,” said Chavez of Oxford Township.