On Monday morning in Antrim, officials and spectators gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony for the future development of the Antrim Community Volunteer Fire Department Training Center. The training center is being made possible through the support and collaboration of Encino Energy, Surgent Construction, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy Foundation (MWCF), General Assembly, and the Guernsey County Commissioners.
“This facility is important for a lot of reasons, but one of most primary reason for its construction is to provide adequate and required certification to a variety of departments,” said Hardy Murchison of Encino Energy. “The facility will not only be for use by the Antrim Fire Department; it will also house training to various departments of the surrounding area. Encino is very appreciative of what the volunteer fire departments and first responders do to save lives and property. I am proud to say that the training facility has been well received by this community.”
According to the project supporters and coordinators, the lack of a local training facility in Guernsey County has led local first responders traveling great distances for training. Their travel has also led to incurring large expenses. The new training facility will now support the education necessary to keep the communities educated and safe, by also offering training to Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical Technicians.
“This training facility is quite an accomplishment considering that we used to train our fire fighters in one and a half to two hours sessions for certification,” said Antrim Fire Chief Donald Warnock. “The center will be set up like a house and we will also train in both rope rescue and confined space situations. We are very thankful to Encino Energy, and all of those involved in making this facility available to Guernsey County.”
“Encino Energy has been good to our county,” said Guernsey County Commissioner Jack Marlin. “Just look what they have done for Harrison County as well. People should be educated on the value of having the gas and oil companies in their county. These companies support the people in ways that some don’t even recognize. The MWCF is another organization that has put a shot in the arm for this Fire Department. Without the support from the gas and oil business and the MWCF none of this would be happening today.”
