Training with the Best

West Jackson Fire personnel travel for top-tier training.

Spring 2025 was busy for West Jackson Fire Department personnel, with multiple crews traveling across the Southeast and beyond to attend premier training conferences. These events provide invaluable opportunities for our firefighters to sharpen their skills, learn cutting-edge techniques, and bring the best practices back home to serve our community.

"West Jackson firefighters continue to invest in their craft by attending top-tier training events across the country," Capt. Jordan Edge said.

Why Training Beyond Our District Matters

While WJFD maintains rigorous in-house training programs, attending conferences alongside firefighters from other departments across the state and nation brings unique benefits. These events expose our personnel to different approaches, new technologies and lessons learned from fire departments serving diverse communities. The knowledge gained helps us adapt the best practices from urban departments, rural districts and specialized units to better serve Braselton, Hoschton and the surrounding area.

Training with other departments also builds valuable professional networks. When major incidents occur, mutual aid becomes critical. The relationships formed at these conferences strengthen our region's overall emergency response capabilities.

FDIC International: The Fire Service's Premier Event

In April, Capt. Edge represented WJFD at FDIC International in Indianapolis. This legendary conference, running since 1929, draws fire and rescue professionals from around the world. With access to world-class instructors, hands-on training evolutions, and over 800 exhibitors showcasing the industry's most innovative equipment, FDIC provides an unmatched learning environment.

The conference combines formal classroom sessions with practical workshops, allowing attendees to practice new techniques with cutting-edge tools and technology. Edge, who oversees training for WJFD, returned with insights on everything from modern firefighting tactics to the latest safety equipment innovations.

Metro Atlanta Fire Fighters Conference: Regional Excellence

May brought our largest contingent to the Metro Atlanta Fire Fighters Conference (MAFFC), with eight WJFD personnel attending: Capt. Edge, Lt. Zac Carter, Lt. Cole Burchardt, FAO Jon Gaines, FAO Casey Keith, FAO Lucas Vendrillo, FF Malachi Walker, FF Steven Reach, and FF Daniel Nelson.

MAFFC offers an ideal blend of classroom instruction and hands-on training, including live fire evolutions. The conference covers essential skills like search and rescue, vehicle extrication, pump operations, thermal imaging, ventilation techniques and handling mayday situations. What makes MAFFC special is its philosophy: firefighters training firefighters. The volunteer-run conference brings together personnel from across the region, creating a collaborative learning environment focused on real-world applications.

Hub City Fire Conference: Specialized Training

Our crew also attended the Hub City Fire Conference in Spartanburg, S.C., with Capt. Casey, FAO Gaines, FAO Keith, and Lt. Matthew McCall participating. This conference provides focused training opportunities that complement the broader skill development gained at larger events.

Investing in Excellence

These training opportunities represent a significant investment in our department's capabilities. The knowledge, skills and professional connections our personnel gain at these conferences directly benefit everyone in our fire district. When emergencies occur, residents can rest assured that WJFD crews have trained alongside the best firefighters in the country and learned from the most experienced instructors in the business.

Training doesn't end when our crews return home. The techniques, procedures and insights gained at these conferences are shared with the entire department through ongoing training sessions, ensuring that every WJFD firefighter benefits from these investments in professional development.

WE ARE READY!