Jackson

Oktibbeha County volunteer firefighter Scott Jackson has set a local record for the number of hours of formal training received in one year.

Jackson, who is a member of the Central Oktibbeha Fire Department, received 181 hours of training through Oktibbeha County's firefighter training program and other emergency service sources, more than any other county firefighter.

Jackson successfully completed a variety of courses in firefighting, rescue and emergency medical response. He also received an additional 42 hours of in-house training from Central Oktibbeha F.D.'s training officer. Jackson averaged 4 1/2 hours of training per week.

"We are extremely proud of Scott for his dedication to the fire service and his willingness to devote so much time to training. All of Oktibbeha County's firefighters are volunteers who must find the time to learn and practice new skills in addition to earning a living in their paying jobs," said Central Oktibbeha Fire Chief Bennet George. "We're also grateful to Scott's family and the families of all our firefighters who also sacrifice while their spouses and fathers do this important work for others."

Two Adaton/Self Creek firefighters, Brent Monroe and Justin Collins, acquired respectively the second and third highest number of training hours with 132 and 121. Ten county firefighters received at least 100 hours of training.

Firefighters in the seven county volunteer fire departments accumulated a total of 3,786 hours of formal training in 2002. The Adaton/Self Creek Department received the largest departmental total with 1,143. The East Oktibbeha Department had the highest number of firefighters receiving training with 22.

Central Oktibbeha had the highest average per firefighter with 66.4 hours. The Sturgis Department was the most improved with 350 percent more training in 2002 than in 2001.

Firefighters receiving the most training from each department were:

• Scott Jackson, Central Oktibbeha, 181 hours.
• Brent Monroe, Adaton/Self Creek, 132 hours.
• Trey Wilemon, East Oktibbeha,103 hours.
• Grant Collins, Bell Schoolhouse,102 hours.
• Shannon Edwards, Sturgis, 96 hours.
• Katherine Rosenhan, Maben, 75 hours.
• Terry Bishop, District 5, 12 hours.

Feb. 6, 2003