SOUTH POINT — One doesn’t become a firefighter only once.

The Lawrence County Firefighters Association Fire School took place this past weekend at South Point High School. The school offers 16 training hours over two days, and one firefighter says it is very beneficial for those working toward the state’s hours requirement.

“It went pretty well and was very well attended,” J.D. Pancake, Upper Township Fire Department Chief, said. “Firefighters have to have 54 hours of training by their birthday in the third year to keep basic certification and this is a great opportunity for anyone to get their basic certification.”

New to this year’s school was the driver’s course, Pancake said, which was taught by certified instructors. Other classes were HazMat training, a landing zone/CPR class, a forceful entry class and automobile extraction class, among others.

“It was changed up a little this year,” Pancake said. “The school is always an easy way to get a lot of certification hours at once.”

The school took place for years before going hiatus, but then it was brought back six years ago. Donations from individuals, businesses and the Lawrence County Commissioners make the school possible.

Ironton Fire Chief Tom Runyon said four Ironton firefighters participated in the forcible entry class.

“It’s a great way to get hours,” Runyon said, “and it’s a great refresher.”