Volunteer firefighter Austin Weir of the West Grove Fire Company has completed his Fire 1 training and was recognized at a graduation ceremony Wednesday night in South Coatesville.

Austin completed the Fire 1 course, which is comprised of 188 hours of classroom and hands on training in the foundations of firefighting and emergency response. In addition to building firefighting skills in handling hose and ladders, students in Fire 1 learn the use of wearing SCBA - self-contained breathing apparatus, and how to handle interior firefighting. Students also get instruction in first aid and CPR, and learn about a range of other topics including hazardous materials and blood-born pathogens.

Fire 1 is recognized training that fully qualifies WGFC firefighters for interior firefighting work. Austin was presented his certificate at the graduation ceremonies by WGFC Fire Chief Justin Gattorno. Fire 1 courses are taught by the training staff at the Chester County Emergency Public Safety Training Campus where the graduation ceremony took place. At the event, remarks were heard from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Acting State Fire Commissioner Charles McGarvey.

Austin Weir has served as a volunteer firefighter of the West Grove Fire Company since April of 2020, and runs out of the London Britain station. He comes from a firefighting family, as his father Ron volunteers with the WGFC, and his sister Maggie also volunteers.

Congratulations Austin!