As communities across Western North Carolina continue to recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, McDowell Technical Community College (MTCC) and its local agency partners are once again answering the call to provide high-quality, life-saving training at the 47th Annual McDowell Fire, Rescue, and EMS College. This year’s Fire School, which began earlier this week and will run through Sunday afternoon, will bring hundreds of emergency responders from across the region to Marion for a week of specialized, hands-on training.
With 779 emergency responders pre-registered, the event is set to welcome a dedicated group of professionals committed to enhancing their skills. Though registration numbers vary each year, the impact of Hurricane Helene on local agencies has made training opportunities like this even more valuable. Organizers expect more participants to register onsite and take pride in continuing to support emergency responders with top-tier training and resources.
“This year has presented unique challenges for many of our local agencies, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” said Stacy Buff, Vice-President of Workforce Development at McDowell Tech. “Even so, we are seeing a tremendous commitment from our first responders, and we are honored to provide the training they need to enhance their skills and better serve their communities.”
Expanded Course Offerings for 2025
The 47th Annual Fire, Rescue, and EMS College will offer more than 62 courses, including several new and highly anticipated classes. Among these are the new Technical Rescuer Certification classes introduced by the State in January, designed to enhance emergency response capabilities for technical rescue scenarios.
Additionally, the College has expanded its course selection to include new EMS Officer classes, as well as enhanced offerings in Fire Prevention and Incident Command training. These courses are critical in ensuring that emergency responders are prepared to lead effectively and make quick, informed decisions during crisis situations.
“Our Technical Rescuer courses have already generated a lot of interest, and we expect them to fill up quickly,” said Ronald Morgan, Director of Fire Training at MTCC. “We’re also pleased to offer new EMS Officer training to help prepare our EMS personnel for leadership roles.”
Strong Demand for Water Rescue and Certification Courses
As in previous years, certification courses continue to be the most popular offerings, with all Water Rescue classes filling up well in advance of the event. This underscores the growing demand for water rescue training across the region, especially following the heavy flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
“Our focus has always been on providing real-world, practical training that helps emergency responders save lives,” said Buff. “The fact that our Water Rescue classes filled up so quickly demonstrates how essential this training is.”
Support from MTCC Leadership
The continued success of the Fire, Rescue, and EMS College would not be possible without the commitment and coordination from MTCC leadership, staff, and community partners. Dr. J.W. Kelley, President of McDowell Technical Community College, emphasized the importance of providing accessible, high-quality training for first responders.
“McDowell Tech is proud to stand behind the men and women who selflessly serve our communities every day,” said Dr. Kelley. “The Fire, Rescue, and EMS College is more than just training—it’s about making sure that our responders have the skills, confidence, and knowledge to protect lives and property in times of crisis. It’s our privilege to support them.”
Looking Ahead
While challenges remain for many fire, rescue, and EMS agencies in the wake of Hurricane Helene, the 47th Annual Fire, Rescue, and EMS College is a reminder of the resilience and commitment of first responders. MTCC and its partners remain dedicated to ensuring that these heroes receive the highest quality training to continue protecting their communities.
The Fire, Rescue, and EMS College is co-sponsored by McDowell Technical Community College and the McDowell County Fire and Rescue Training Committee, with additional support from the McDowell County Emergency Management Agency, the McDowell County Fire Commission, and the McDowell County Fire and Rescue Association. The McDowell Fire, Rescue and EMS Training Committee is responsible for planning and operation of the college.
For more information or to register, please visit https://mcdowellfireschool.com/ or contact the Fire Training Office at 828-652-0674.
