By FireRescue1 Staff
SOCORRO, N.M. — In an effort to alleviate the decline of volunteer firefighter numbers across the state, a local fire training academy held its fifth annual fire and EMS expo.
The expo serves as an opportunity for firefighters and fire officials to participate in dozens of hands-on training and brush up on techniques, reported KRQE.
State Fire Marshal John Standefer said that with each year, there are more attendees at the expo.
“This is so new to me that it’s kind of changing my goals. I’m kind of rethinking them,” Susan Kolp, an EMS professional who wants to become a volunteer firefighter, said.
Kolp is one of 56 women who are participating in the training offered at the expo. Around 300 individuals from across the state attended the expo.
“We get them in gear. They have fun and decide ‘maybe this is for me’ and they go on and make excellent firefighters and serve their community,” Standefer said.