PERRYSBURG — More than 1,300 firefighters will be coming to the Penta Career Center this weekend for the annual Regional Fire School, held by the Northwestern Ohio Volunteer Firemen’s Association.

“A lot of departments were disappointed during COVID when we couldn’t have the school. They depend on us to get their continuing education hours needed to keep their certifications through the state. It’s a very important school for the first responders,” Fire School Chairman Jeff Orphal said.

This is the second year the event will be held since the pandemic shutdown.

For the first time, there will be a keynote speaker at the fire school.

Nationally recognized Fire Chief Rick Laskey will be presenting three of his programs during this year’s fire school: “What It Takes to Be That Great Volunteer Company Officer,” “Sweating the Small Stuff” and “Fireground Scenarios.”

Laskey is a 40-plus year veteran of the fire service. He served as chief of the Lewisville, Texas, Fire Department for 12 years and prior to that as fire chief in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Some of the many classes will be medical emergencies, agricultural emergencies, fire and explosions, illegal drug interventions with first responders, firefighter safety classes and disaster response.

“We will also be having hands-on training,” Orphal said. “The state fire marshal’s office will be bringing a fire blast trailer, where it actually simulates a fire. You go in and put it out, under a controlled environment.”

Orphal said there will also be a mobile search and rescue trailer and a driving simulator.

Also for the first time, the event is also being held in conjunction with the Northwest Emergency Management Association hazmat conference.

There will also be 35 vendors available, as a mini-firefighter trade show, showiing first responders the latest tools and equipment available.

“This is our second year at Penta, but we’ve been having the Regional Fire School since the 1960s,” Orphal said.

Classes were held for many years at Bowling Green State University, but the event outgrew the available facility.

“Everything is now under one roof. It’s a great facility,” Orphal said. “People should stop out. It’s impressive to see.”

Atlantic Emergency Solutions, a fire and EMS equipment company, is a major sponsor. That sponsorship defers the costs, making the event free to first responders. It will take place on Saturday and Sunday at the Penta Career Center, 9301 Buck Road, Perrysburg, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Organizers are asking that participants register, but walk-ins will be accepted as late as Sunday morning, for classes that still have openings. Registrations can be made at https://www.novfafireschool.org/.