BCCC hosts live-fire training near Pantego | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    As part of its continued service to firefighters, law enforcement officers and other first responders, Beaufort County Community College offers a continuous schedule of training through its Division of Continuing Education.

    On Saturday, March 30, BCCC hosted a live-fire exercise that was attended by 38 firefighters from four fire departments in the county - Belhaven, Pantego, Pungo River, Sidney and Washington - as well as firefighters from Autryville in Sampson County. Members of the Pinetown Emergency Medical Service remained on stand-by throughout the day in the event of a medical emergency.

    "An event like this takes a lot of planning and coordination," said David Crosby, director of Fire Training and Special Projects at BCCC. This event involved an 1,800 square-foot frame house that had been abandoned and donated to the Pantego Volunteer Fire Department for use in the live-fire exercise.

    The exercise involved a series of interior fires and culminated in the destruction of the building that was overseen by fire department members. Because firefighters in rural Beaufort County often share resources and respond to fires in cooperation with other departments, training activities that allow them to work in tandem with other departments are particularly valuable.
A team of firefighters goes into a house during live-fire training near Pantego that was facilitated by Beaufort County Community College (Photo courtesy Lynn Paul).
    The exercise "provided firefighters with training in fighting interior fires and gave them the opportunity to work together in an actual fire setting," Crosby said. BCCC facilitated the exercises, recruiting and funding six qualified instructors for the training.


    Beaufort County Community College is a public comprehensive community college committed to accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training, and lifelong learning opportunities for the people served by the College.