Members from three local volunteer fire departments completed basic wildland fire training on Sunday offered by the Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS).
Upshur County volunteer fire departments Pleasant Grove (PGVFD), West Mountain (WMVFD), and Harmony (HVFD) participated in the required field day exercise to complete the National Wildfire Coordinating Group certification requirements.
Eight firefighters became basic wildland certified after completing three online courses, totaling about of 40 hours, and the field day exercise. Sunday’s field day was composed of a skills exercise and final examination.
During the skills exercise, firefighters covered a range of topics such as using hand tools to create a fireline, setting up a fire shelter, rolling hose, and lighting a fusee.
Matt Burnett, TAMFS instructor, led the field day, advising trainees of techniques to use when fighting wildfires. Upshur County receives a fair number of wildfire, grass fire, and woods fire calls, especially during the dry season.
Those who completed the training Sunday were Scott Mischnick, PGVFD chief; Mark Mahan, PGVFD training coordinator; Mandi Mischnick, PGVFD secretary/treasurer; Arthur Duke, PGVFD member; Connor Sweat, WMVFD member; Jennifer Bardwell, WMVFD member; Jeremy Madsen, HVFD captain; and Austin Reynolds, HVFD member.
Pleasant Grove VFD 