| | | In 2005, the Fire Chief of the Westwood Fire Company decided to begin the nationally certified training programs offered by the Chester County Fire and Rescue Training Academy in cooperation with the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. At that time, 24 of our members achieved Firefighter I level training together and received certification which allowed the company to apply for the Pennsylvania Participating Department Recognition Program. Commonwealth emergency responders have an opportunity to participate in and be recognized as a certified fire professional at various levels in accordance with nationally recognized and sanctioned Professional Qualification standards. The state recognizes four different levels of participation by fire companies; 10%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. | Decals placed on fire apparatus signify the level of participation by each company. The different levels are distinguished by four different color borders around the edge of the decal; 10% has a white border, 50% has a bronze border, 75% has a silver border and 100% has a gold border. Commonwealth emergency responders have an opportunity to participate in and be recognized as a certified fire professional at various levels in accordance with nationally recognized and sanctioned Professional Qualification standards. The state recognizes four different levels of participation by fire companies; 10%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Decals placed on fire apparatus signify the level of participation by each company. The different levels are distinguished by four different color borders around the edge of the decal; 10% has a white border, 50% has a bronze border, 75% has a silver border and 100% has a gold border. On February 16th, 2007, notice was received from the Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner's Office that we were being honored by the Fire Commissioner's Office under the State Certification Recognition Program for achieving 75% of our personnel trained to National Professional Qualification Standards. We became only the 54th Fire Company in Pennsylvania to achieve this level and the only 4th in Chester County. Decals with silver borders are now proudly displayed on the apparatus as well as a certificate hanging in the station signed by Ed Mann the state fire commissioner. The Westwood Fire Company is setting the standards even higher by constantly training to better serve our community.
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