Future Generations to Benefit West Virginia's Fire and Rescue Squads with support from the American Recovery Act

WV Fire and Rescue Squads: Future Generations staff and partners, TLTEK and Mission WV, celebrate recent news of an American Recovery Act award with Governor Joe Manchin

$4.4. Million in Federal Recovery Act Funds to Equip West Virginia’s Fire and Rescue Squads with Computers and Training to Benefit Communities

Franklin, WV – With more than $4.4 million in American Recovery Act funding, 60 Fire and Emergency Rescue Squads will provide high-speed internet access and computer training to communities across West Virginia. This community-based initiative, to be coordinated by the Future Generations Graduate School, will set up public computer centers and training programs within each fire and rescue squad facility. Twenty-four fire departments and rescue squads in 13 counties and numerous instructors, businesses, and state agencies are already committed to this project.

With broadband and computer access, the educational options and economic opportunities for West Virginia’s communities will expand.

Each squad will be equipped with 11 computer stations connected to broadband. Computer mentors, selected by the local fire and rescue squads, will offer weekly computer classes. Other training programs will include: Career Readiness, E-Commerce, Disaster Preparedness, Health and Well-being, and Online Mapping. In addition, two computer repair centers will provide low-cost, refurbished computers to West Virginia’s families.

This initiative will complement the $126 million grant received by the West Virginia Department of Commerce to deploy broadband infrastructure to all of the state’s schools, public safety organizations, and libraries.

President of Future Generations, Daniel Taylor, emphasizes that: “the backbone of West Virginia is volunteerism—shown so magnificently through the fire and rescue squads. We thank the fire and rescue squads who have devoted much time to helping move the idea forward. We thank all our elected officials, Senators Byrd and Rockefeller, as well as Representatives Rahall, Mollohan, and Capito.”

In the coming year, the Future Generations Graduate School will be working with existing sites and reaching out to involve more fire and rescue squads.

The Future Generations Graduate School, located in Pendleton County, West Virginia, has an impressive track record managing complex international and educational programs that rely on broadband. For 20 years, Future Generations has been working internationally to help communities and governments shape their futures. More details are available at: www.future.org.

Contact:  Traci Hickson, Director of Communications
             Ph. 304.358.2000    Email. traci@future.org