by Becky Robinette Wright, special correspondent

A yellow brush truck and fire engine from Wagstaff Volunteer Fire Station were still waiting for the emergency personnel to climb aboard and tackle the course, where nearby the Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad’s red-and-white vehicle was parked in the corner of the parking lot.

Orange cones dotted the pavement forming several driving courses. The purpose was to test the driving skills of emergency personnel in rescue vehicle operation. Wagstaff and Manchester offered their emergency vehicles to benefit the class. Students were required to drive each type of vehicle through multiple driving courses.

“Today’s class is for the state,” explained Tom Berry, Division Chief for Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) and Captain at Wagstaff Volunteer Fire Station.  “Class attendants take eight hours of in-class instruction, then [they] must take field tests. In responding to an actual call the drivers must be prepared for all types of situations and obstacles, including maneuvering in an out of fire vehicles, police vehicles, etc., that are parked, citizen traffic and many other possible hazards.”

Emergency crews and firefighters took part from several stations and jurisdictions.

Firefighter Nathan Mort is a volunteer firefighter for Wagstaff Fire Station, and is currently training to become a Fire Program Instructor for the State. He assisted VDFP Division Tom Berry with the instruction and testing.

Brandon Weidman is a Wagstaff Volunteer firefighter and a volunteer for Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Adam Schuknecht is Volunteer Coordinator and Volunteer firefighter for Wagstaff Fire Station. He also serves as a career firefighter for Hopewell Fire and Rescue.

The special field exercises took place behind the old Genito Crossing Movie Theatre at Hull Street and Genito Road.

“The class for VDFP is for state only,“ said Firefighter Adam Schuknecht. “State is separate from our local jurisdictions. We still are required to take EVOC for the county. Basically, this state class is just what we are trying to do to advance our skills. This is on a voluntary basis.”