EFD Members Advance Their Skills with Intensive Swiftwater Rescue Training
Three members of the Elkins Fire Department (EFD) are now even better equipped to respond to water emergencies after successfully completing a rigorous Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician course.
The intensive three-day training, held near Oakland, Maryland, focused on advanced techniques for navigating fast-moving water, victim recovery, and team safety in hazardous flood conditions. This specialized skillset is critical for protecting both the public and first responders during severe weather events and water-related incidents.
The commitment to continuous training is a cornerstone of professional fire service. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), firefighters in larger career departments spend an average of 90 hours per year on drill and training activities, ensuring they are prepared for any emergency. EFD civil service and volunteer fighters train almost daily; schedule weekly training sessions; and depending on their schedule, easily complete a total of anywhere between 100 to 200 hours of training annually.
New firefighters train for several hundred hours before they become firefighters, whether they are volunteer or civil services members of EFD.
This recent training underscores the department’s ongoing dedication to achieving the highest level of readiness and service for the Elkins community.
To view a photo essay from this demanding training course, take a look below.
Scroll through the gallery above to view all photos.
Elkins Resident First ‘SWINGO’ Winner
Elkins, WV — June 21, 2026: Elkins resident Ivy Biswas became the first person in Randolph County to complete her “SWINGO” board a few seconds after midnight this morning, when she checked in at the Almost Heaven Swing at nearby Camp Pioneer […]
Read More
City Hall News: Week of June 21, 2026
Elkins, WV — June 20, 2026: Happy West Virginia Day! The City of Elkins thanks the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber, Citizens Promoting Community, other nonprofits, and local businesses for their work decorating downtown in anticipation of the United States’ 250th anniversary. City Hall […]
Read More
Celebrate West Virginia Day with These 10 Random Fun Facts
With West Virginia Day occurring this Saturday, the External Affairs office thought it would be fun to collect some random facts about the Mountain State as we celebrate its 163rd birthday. For newcomers and long-time residents alike, here are 10 random things […]
Read More
Mayor Marco Honors Elkins Swim Teams After Girls’ 3-Peat and Boys’ Runner-Up Finish
Elkins, WV — June 17, 2026: This morning, Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco congratulated the Elkins High School swim teams for a successful year. In February, the Lady Tigers won their third consecutive state Division II championships, holding off Elkview’s Herbert Hoover High […]
Read More
Elkins is Bringing It for #America250: Don’t Miss These July 4 Events!
Note: This information is subject to change at any time before the 4th of July weekend. Local organizations — including the Elkins-Randolph County Chamber and Our Town — have planned several events this July to celebrate America’s 250th birthday (the Semiquincentennial, also […]
Read More
Recycling Reminder: Glass and Yard Waste Only
Updated June 12, 2026. The City of Elkins is once again reminding residents about the rules at our yard waste and glass drop-off site. The drop-off site only accepts two types of materials: glass and yard waste. Boxes, household trash, and other […]
Read More