Oconne County Firefighters Complete Firefighter II Course

Oconee County Fire Rescue announces that nine Oconee County Volunteer Firefighters completed68 hours of Firefighter II training.  The following men and women unselfishly dedicated many hours away from their families and friends to participate in this course in order to better serve their community.

            Danny Beasley - Station 1, Watkinsville

            Melissa Chirello – Station 8, Barber Creek

            Josh Echols – Station 2, South Oconee

            Drew Grier - Station 6, North High Shoals

            Matt Payne - Station 1, Watkinsville

            Andrew Petersen - Station 2, South Oconee

            Lauren Rodriguez - Station 6, North High Shoals

            Steve Rose – Station 7, North Oconee

            Mark Yount – Station 1, Watkinsville

The 68-hour course began June 17, 2013. The instructor, Battalion Chief David Smith, from Athens-Clarke County Fire Department, held training every third night and some Saturdays through August 10, 2013.

The course concluded with the National Professional Qualification (NPQ) written test and the NPQ skills test administered by the Georgia Fire Academy. Oconee County Fire Rescue is one of the few volunteer departments in Georgia requiring volunteer firefighters to be tested using the NPQ Format for firefighting. This is the same course and test that paid departments require, and is a standard of training recognized throughout the country.