By Gina Morton
DANVILLE -- Jeff Dawson said passing the Firefighter II exam was an indication of the hard work he has done the past 20 years of training.
"It's something I'm proud of," he said on Thursday at the East End Fire Co. in Mahoning Township. "The state doesn't require training by volunteers, but we took the effort. That says a lot."
Dawson and seven of his fellow firefighters recently passed the voluntary certification process, which focuses on leadership and knowledge -- a continuation from the Firefighter I exam.
Participating and passing the exam with Dawson were Jack Brecht, Todd Gibson, Sam Hunsinger, Mike Kull, Josh Poticher, Leslie Young and Kevin Young.
Deputy Fire Chief Todd Gibson said the test, done through the Schuylkill County Fire Training Center, focuses on four main categories: prerequisite certifications, including Firefighter 1 completion, hazardous-material operations, incident command course and vehicle rescue; Firefighting leadership, including pre-planning responses to potential fires and documenting incident reports; a 100 question written exam; and a five station practical exam.
Included in the station practical exam was hydrant flow test, incident command, maintenance, lighting equipment, foam suppression and a hose test.
"It's all volunteer," said Gibson. "It's recognized certification to say we have the knowledge. We just love to do it."
Fire Chief Kevin Young said members of the department were not required to take the exam, but it is being offered again this year to those who did not take part in the recent testing session.
"It's another notch in the belt," Young said. "There's a lot of experience and knowledge in our group."
The next step for training is the Fire Instructor I class -- where participants learn the theory of teaching and to instruct in a better manner.
Everyone said they are interested in taking the next step.
"I did this for myself," said Leslie Young. "It's another step in the ladder."
Brecht was confident he passed the test, although he said it was tough, and hopes to go further to the adult education course.
"With all the stuff we do and getting certification for it," Brecht said, "you feel gratification for passing."
