Two Orange County Departments Recognized with Virginia Association of Counties Awards
By: Orange County Communications Department
While excitement was still buzzing over the Digital Counties Survey Award, two Orange County Departments, County of Orange Fire & EMS (COFEMS) and the Office of Economic Development and Tourism, earned additional kudos thanks to a pair of Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) Achievement Awards. COFEMS ’ award built on the success of last year, when they were recognized for their Whole Blood Program. That program addressed the need to provide blood to trauma patients in the field, since hospital facilities are distant from Orange County, and was additionally recognized as the “ Best Small County Achievement ” for 2022. This year, COFEMS was recognized for addressing another need. A shortage of qualified firefighter and EMS personnel plagues the Commonwealth. As a result, it is difficult for departments to recruit and retain staff at the desired level. In response, COFEMS partnered with the Orange County Public School System to train the EMS and firefighter leaders of tomorrow in active stations, not classrooms, for Firefighter 1 and EMS courses. The courses are offered through the High School as two - block classes, and students are bused to the Berry Hill Fire Station to complete coursework. Firefighter 1 is held in the fall, and EMS in the spring. Class sizes begin around 25 students, and approximately a dozen complete the challenging course. Students engage in adult - level education in a real - life setting - hearing alarms, interacting with staff, and seeing “ live action ” responses to calls for service. Impressively, no additional financial expenses are encumbered by COFEMS, and students are not charged fees. The materials, equipment, and training devices are used for ongoing training with personnel and captured in the operational training budget. The program is primarily presented by the COFEMS Training Officer, dedicated volunteers, and local professionals. After completing the coursework, students are eligible to sit for the Virginia Firefighter and Pro Board certifications which include a written test, live - burn simulation, and skills assessment. Firefighter 1 students also must be affiliated with a volunteer fire department. As such, they learn how to work with volunteers, community members, donors, and professional staffers. Students are assigned a mentor with their volunteer fire company and work with that mentor throughout the program. The program has been very successful. In addition to receiving high school and college credits free of charge, students that pass their certifications are accredited by Pro Board which is recognized nationwide. This creates a win - win scenario in which Orange County students are prepared for success wherever they
go, and COFEMS is able to recruit talented personnel to serve right here. Last semesters ’ courses resulted in a new hire for COFEMS, and several students signed up to return and continue their coursework.
Graduates are eligible to become full - time COFEMS employees with a starting salary of over $54,000. Those interested in learning more about open positions should visit www.orangecountyva.gov/ jobs. An exciting, meaningful, and rewarding career could await you.
Page 5 | August 2023
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