Firefighter training courses offered

If you are interested in becoming an on-call member of your local fire department, now is the time to sign up.

Chief Larry Lamb, of Niles Fire Department, said classes necessary for on-call firefighters are scheduled to begin in early October. The Firefighter 1 and 2 Training courses are only available once a year in Berrien County.

“It’s important to sign up early,” he said. “There’s only about 30 spots so they fill up quick.”

Classes run twice a week from October through April, mostly in Berrien Springs.

It’s a big commitment, but Lamb said it is worth it for the right type of person.

“There is a lot of pride that goes with helping your fellow man,” he said. “Some people do it as a hobby, some like the excitement and others pursue it as a career opportunity.”
Niles currently has 16 on-call firefighters. Lamb said they’d like that number to be around 25.

“We could use 9-10 people if that were feasible, but it is difficult to find people with that amount of time to dedicated to this thing,” he said.

State law requires on-call firefighters to complete the Firefighter 1 course within two years of becoming an on-call member. Firefighter 1 is 152 hours and Firefighter 2 is an additional 75 hours.

Niles Fire will pay for the cost of the class. Most on-call firefighters receive financial compensation when they join a department.

Niles Fire runs about 1,200 service calls a year and on-call members are called to about 400 of those. On-call members are called out to structure fires, vehicle accidents and large manpower scenes, Lamb said.

Those interested in signing up should contact their local fire station.

Buchanan

‘Ollie Strong’: ‘Human Etch-A-Sketch’ runs through Niles for local child battling cancer

Community News

‘Seeking the light of wisdom’: Edwardsburg’s Monday Evening Club celebrates 130 years

Cassopolis

Marcellus man gets prison time for shooting man during food argument

Berrien County

Judge rules on 3 motions in Johnson case

Community News

‘Human Etch-A-Sketch’ to run for local child battling cancer

Business

Niles Chamber hosts ribbon cutting for The Embers

Business

Ready to rebuild: Fundraising efforts underway to rebuild historic Ramona Roller Rink

Cass County

Cass County Commissioners provide dumpsters for Twin Lakes cleanup

Community News

ESC to host annual Hero Run event

Buchanan

Campbell Lincoln Ford donates vehicle to Buchanan’s auto tech program

Community News

Dowagiac students receive more than $678K in scholarships

Community News

Dowagiac Auto Body owner killed in Keeler Township crash

Community News

Niles Community Schools narrows superintendent search

Buchanan

BASC Pride Committee to host annual Pride on The Common event

Berrien County

New veterans service office opens in Niles

Berrien County

MSP investigating officer-involved shooting in Berrien County

Cass County

Cass County Deputy Friend of the Court becomes Certified Court Executive

Cassopolis

Village trustee Pedersen announces run for Cassopolis Village President

News

South Bend man who robbed Fifth Third sentenced to prison

News

Cassopolis FFA, botany class deliver flowers to foster families

Columns

LYNCH: Cannabis rescheduling not ideal, but it is progress

News

Bids preparing to go out for AEP renovation

Letters to the Editor

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: OUR Community, OUR Bond

News

King to challenge Denison in recall election