Training Opportunities

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SEARCH & RESCUE, OFF ROAD 101 SXS DRIVING IN AUSTERE ENVIRONMENTS

Date/Time: March 15 & 16, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM)

Location: 120 Kingfisher Road, Minden, WV 25879

Description: The course is designed specifically to provide students who will find themselves driving their UTV/SXS vehicle in remote or scenic areas with limited support conducting search and rescue operations. The course will provide a basic level of instruction in off-road driving of UTV/SXS and develop off-road driving skills. The class will cover different SXS/UTV driveline systems and suspensions their subcomponents unique to today's SXSs and how they work. Specifically, the difference of the driveline, belt systems, and CVT style transmissions. Students will better understand the pros and cons to each system and how to get the vehicle they are using to perform to its fullest. Students will learn different driving techniques while driving off road such as vehicle dynamics, approach and departure considerations, tire set up, drive line set up, the proper use of traction and momentum, failed hill climbs, obstacle negotiation, and proper throttle and brake control usage.

Registration: Please contact Jeff Cunningham (Training & Exercise Coordinator; Search & Rescue) at jeff.o.cunningham@wv.gov
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SEARCH & RESCUE, COMPARATIVE OSTEOLOGY FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Date/Time: March 22, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM)

Location: 120 Kingfisher Rd, Oak Hill, WV 25879, USA

Description: The Comparative Osteology for First Responders Workshop is an invaluable resource designed for search and rescue teams, law enforcement, fire/rescue personnel, and park rangers. It equips participants with the skills to distinguish between human and non-human remains, crucial for effective identification of human remains.

Registration: Please contact Jeff Cunningham (Training & Exercise Coordinator; Search & Rescue) at jeff.o.cunningham@wv.gov

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SEARCH & RESCUE, DRONE OPERATIONS

Date/Time: April 24, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM)

Location: 233 Almshouse Road, Martinsburg, WV

Description: This 8-hour course will bring search and rescue teams up to the level they need to be in search and rescue operations using drones, which could lead to a faster recovery of lost persons.

Registration: Please contact Jeff Cunningham (Training & Exercise Coordinator; Search & Rescue) at jeff.o.cunningham@wv.gov 

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HAZMAT, EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC BIOLOGICAL INCIDENTS

Date/Time: September 25-26, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM)

Location: Winfield, WV

Description: To help first responders safely and effectively respond to a biologic incident. To identify appropriate assessment and response action, review PPE, containment measures, and tools.

Registration: Please contact Stephanie Rosier (Training & Exercise Coordinator; Hazardous Materials) at stephanie.a.rosier@wv.gov ​

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HAZMAT, BATTERY IQ AWARENESS AND OPERATIONAL RESPONSE TO LITHIUM-ION BATTERY EMERGENCIES

Dates/Times/Locations:

  • March 12, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 1700 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25314
  • August 4, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 3551 U.S. Route 60 E, Barboursville, WV 25504
  • September 29, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 709 2nd Ave. Marlinton, WV 24954
  • October 3, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 36 Danbury Ln, Martinsburg, WV 25401
  • October 7, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 497 Mall Rd, Oak Hill, WV 25901

Description: To provide first responders and emergency managers with education to understand, identify, and respond to battery-related incidents.

Registration: Please contact Stephanie Rosier (Training & Exercise Coordinator; Hazardous Materials) at stephanie.a.rosier@wv.gov

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HAZMAT, HAZMAT IQ ABOVE THE LINE/BELOW THE LINE TRAINING

Dates/Times/Locations:

  • August 21, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 3551 U.S. Route 60 E, Barboursville, WV 25504
  • September 8, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 4676 Potomac Highlands Trail, Green Bank, WV 24944
  • October 30, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 497 Mall Rd, Oak Hill, WV 25901
  • November 12, 2025 (8:00AM – 5:00PM); 16189 Northwestern Turnpike, Augusta, WV 26704

Description: To provide education to first responders and emergency managers on Hazardous Materials incidents.

Registration: Please contact Stephanie Rosier (Training & Exercise Coordinator; Hazardous Materials) at stephanie.a.rosier@wv.gov

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2025 NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BASIC ACADEMY

Dates/Times:

  • L0101 (Foundations of Emergency Management); April 14-18, 2025 (8:00AM – 4:00PM)
  • L0102 (Science of Disaster); June 9-11, 2025 (8:00AM – 4:00PM)
  • L0103 (Planning: Emergency Operations); June 12-13, 2025 (8:00AM – 4:00PM)
  • L0146 (Homeland Security Exercise & Evaluation Program); August 18-19, 2025 (8:00AM – 4:00PM)
  • L0105 (Public Information Basics); August 20-22, 2025 (8:00AM – 4:00PM)

Location: Bridgeport Conference Center; 300 Conference Center Way, Bridgeport, WV 26330

Description: The National Emergency Management Basic Academy is designed for individuals pursuing a career in emergency management and provides a foundational education in emergency management knowledge, skills, and abilities. The goal of the Basic Academy is to support the careers of emergency managers through training experiences combining knowledge of all fundamental systems, concepts, and practices of contemporary emergency management. The Basic Academy provides adult learners, facilitated by skilled faculty members, with a solid foundation upon which to build a career in the emergency management profession.

Registration: Please contact Kyle Pajarito (Training & Exercise Coordinator; National Qualification System) at kyle.c.pajarito@wv.gov 

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NIMS ICS ALL-HAZARDS, INCIDENT COMMANDER (L0​​950)

Dates/Times/Locations:

  • July 7-11, 2025 (8:00AM – 4:00PM); Bridgeport Conference Center; 300 Conference Center Way, Bridgeport, WV 26330
  • July 28 - August 1, 2025 (8:00AM – 4:00PM); Beckley Fire Department; 232 Industrial Drive, Beckley, WV 25801

Description: The goal of this professional development course is to provide local and state-level emergency responders with an overview of key duties and responsibilities of an Incident Commander within the ICS structure and specifically for a Type III All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT).

Registration: Please contact Kyle Pajarito (Training & Exercise Coordinator; National Qualification System) at kyle.c.pajarito@wv.gov

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NIMS ICS ALL-HAZARDS, OPERATIONS SECTION CHIEF (L0958)

Dates/Times/Locations:

  • August 11-14, 2025 (8:00AM – 4:00PM); Bridgeport Conference Center; 300 Conference Center Way, Bridgeport, WV 26330
  • August 25-28, 2025 (8:00AM – 4:00PM); Beckley Fire Department; 232 Industrial Drive, Beckley, WV 25801

Description: The purpose of this professional development course is to prepare local, state, tribal, and Federal emergency responders to function in the role of a T-III OSC after obtaining adequate experience. The OSC will be part of an all-hazards T-III IMT Operations Section Chief (OSC) Type III in a Type III All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT).

Registration: Please contact Kyle Pajarito (Training & Exercise Coordinator; National Qualification System) at kyle.c.pajarito@wv.gov

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If you have any questions or concerns about training, please contact Brent Burger (State Training Officer) at brent.a.burger@wv.gov

Last Updated: March 2025