ALDERSON (WVDN) – The Federal Prison Camp in Alderson has reinstated their firefighter training program to train inmates to become volunteer firefighters. Since the inception of the fire training program in 1978, it is estimated approximately 750 inmates have completed the 120-hour firefighter 1 training program with an additional 100 inmates completing the firefighter 2, 40-hour class.
The program consists of the fundamentals of firefighting, hazardous material training at the operations level, first aid and CPR training with over 200 skills which must be completed.
Inmates learn much more than firefighting to include teamwork, leadership and service.
In many instances, the inmates have obtained employment upon their release based on the skills they gained from the program.
To enhance the training program, the Bureau of Prisons purchased a 2022 Pierce fire engine which was delivered May 18 and built by Atlantic Emergency Solutions.
The new engine is intended to enrich the training program and to respond to requests for mutual aid in the Alderson community. Funding for the new apparatus was obtained through the First Step Act passed by Congress in 2018, which aims at reduction in recidivism, decreasing federal inmate population and maintaining public safety.
