West Virginia Fire Departments and Rescue Squads Eager to serve their Communities with Public Computer Centers

Across West Virginia, Fire Chiefs and Rescue Squad volunteers look forward to a Future Generations initiative to set up public computer centers and training programs in 60 communities. Computer centers with high-speed Internet will be located in fire and rescue squad facilities, which double as community centers.

Activities got underway in May as Future Generations staff met with the 26 squads already committed to expanding computer and educational access. Many squad partners are located in the southern coalfields of WV, a region with rugged terrain that now has the potential to benefit from high-speed Internet. The challenge is how to open new internet-based educational and economic opportunities for people without the skills and access to computers and the Internet.

In Boone County, Aaron Dickerson, a volunteer of the Wharton Barrett Fire Station, highlights the potential of this initiative. He says, “There are not many people here who have computers in their homes. And our school, the third smallest in the state, does not offer any computer classes. So we’re looking forward to people coming together to learn about computers in a friendly social setting. Also, this project has helped me recruit three other guys from my high school into our local fire department.”

This summer, Future Generations will work with volunteers like Aaron to install ten computer stations in each facility, which will be open to the public for a minimum of ten hours per week. Each squad will select a local person to be trained as a computer mentor. And, a range of training programs in basic computer skills, health and well-being, e-commerce, online mapping, and adult basic education will increase educational and economic opportunities. For those who want to start using a computer in their own home, low-cost refurbished computers will be available.

Deputy Director, LeeAnn Shreve, who has been meeting with fire squads around the state, has been deeply impressed by local enthusiasm. Volunteers are actively preparing their facilities for computer installation. She says, “Community members are enthusiastic about broadband and the training opportunities. Computer access will boost the morale of squad volunteers and their quality of service to communities.”

For more information, track our progress on www.future.edu.