More than 320 firefighters are in and around Bowling Green State University this week
to chop holes in vacant buildings, sift through charred debris for evidence of
arson and rappel down the football stadium. The training exercises are part of
State Fire School, which began Monday.
The firefighters represent 132 fire departments and brigades from Ohio and Michigan
as well as Ontario, Canada.
For the first time, BGSU has donated several residential buildings for training on
the dangers of entering and escaping structures. Firefighters will be at 1372
and 830 E. Wooster St., and 313 Thurstin Ave. from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. today
through Thursday.
Basic and intermediate rope rescue training will take place Tuesday-Thursday at Doyt
Perry Football Stadium.
Fire School students will also take part in extrication training and learn how to
investigate fire scenes for arson.
All firefighters at State Fire School gain practical, hands-on training to take back
to their communities, but many are also earning college credit toward a degree.

BGSU’s online bachelor of science in fire administration program began with its first
cohort of students in August 2011.
BGSU also was granted approval last year to begin teaching the Fire Inspector
Certification class in a hybrid/online format. The university is the only
chartered agency approved to teach Fire Instructor and Fire Inspector
certification in this format.
Major sponsors of State Fire School include Paratech, Ohio CAT and Sutphen Corp.