Ranger – Thanks to lots of hard work, training and dedication, the Ranger Volunteer Fire Department led by Chief Mike Taylor has received new certifications from North Carolina.
The department is certified in Heavy Rescue, Medical Responder and Machinery & Agriculture, helping make its services more valuable not only to its community and other fire departments, but in distant areas.
In April, the department received the new certification, allowing the Ranger department to widen its response area to different locations around the state. They can now deploy further out to offer assistance with events like natural disasters.
In order to qualify for the certification, a department needs at least eight fully certified firefighters who have earned Vehicle Machine Rescue, Technical Rescue, Machinery & Agricultural and Hazmat certifications, as well as other subjects.
“I’m proud. That’s a lot of work that my guys and gals put themselves through to get these certifications. It’s a ton of hours,” said Taylor, beaming like a proud father.
There has to be a minimum of eight people before they’ll even come out. The Ranger department has nine, with two more members close to being certified.
It’s not only the numerous hours of training that made them eligible for the new certification, but their equipment and tools. They needed to have four Sawzalls, two of which need to be electric; 1,200 feet of life-safety rope; throw bags and other equipment for water rescue; as well as a certain number of tons regarding their airbags and a variety of other hand tools.
“It’s not even about being able to assist out of the area, but it’s about making sure that we live up to our contract and always being able to give our people in our area the best quality of care that we can,” Taylor said.
As a result of the department’s upgraded status, they will now be eligible next year for a 50/50 State Rescue Grant up to $30,000. The monies the department contributes will be matched up to that amount to be used for additional tools and equipment.
Within the next 10 years, Taylor hopes to have all of his personnel certified and would like to have a specialty field his department can claim. He also sees a new fire station in the future.
The more advanced training a department has, he said the better off the community and its residents will be.
As with other volunteer fire departments, there is always a need for additional personnel. There are many different tasks within a department where a person can assist with from operating a truck, traffic control, filling air bottles to administrative duties, rehab and cleanup.
All training is provided at no charge to volunteers.
Details: Call Ranger Fire Chief Mike Taylor at 828-644-5677.