Southeastern Kentucky Firefighters Association fall fire school to be held in Corbin

Approximately 500 firefighters will descend upon Corbin this weekend for the annual Southeastern Kentucky Firefighters Association’s 42^nd annual Fall Fire School.

Corbin Firefighter Andy Melton, one of the event organizers said the firefighters will be coming from across the state and from neighboring states to participate in the three-day event that features classroom instruction and hands-on lessons for all levels of firefighters.

A total of 25 classes will be offered over the weekend including everything from basic firefighting and firefighting survival, CPR, and first aid, to advanced firefighting tactics, vehicle extraction and EMT continuing education.

Corbin Firefighter Eric Philpot, another of the event organizers, said prior to 2015, the event had been held in Somerset.

“We moved it to the Corbin Center and The Arena in hopes of expanding it,” Philpot said when the move was announced last year.

Classroom work will be conducted at the Corbin Center while the hands-on training will be done in the parking lot at The Arena.

The one exception will be vehicle extrication, which will be done at Bolton’s Junkyard.

Philpot said previously that volunteer firefighters are required to have 20 hours of continuing education, annually.

Career firefighters must have 100 hours of continuing education, annually.

EMT’s must have 24 hours of continuing education every two years.

In addition to the training, Melton said there will be a vendors area set up at The Arena Saturday to sell fire service related equipment.

Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Kriebel said this is a big opportunity to promote Corbin as a tourist destination.

Upon registration, each fire school participant will receive a goodie bag from Corbin Tourism containing maps and hotel information.

In addition, Kriebel will speak to each of the Friday morning classes, to welcome the firefighters, thank them and remind them of some of the things that Corbin has to offer.

Kriebel said she will be setting up the Corbin Tourism trade show display at The Corbin Center to further assist the firefighters when they get out of class.

“This provides a unique opportunity,” Kriebel said, noting it is not just about the firefighters but that many of them will bring spouses and/or family members who will be looking for things to do while the firefighters are in class.