87th Nebraska Fire School Kicks Off in Grand Island UPDATED WITH VIDEO

Grand Island, Neb. — Another year of the Nebraska Fire School is off and running on the Fonner Park campus in Grand Island.

Governor Jim Pillen and Grand Island Police Chief Cory Schmidt both delivered remarks during the opening ceremony to not only praise the work the state’s firefighters do on a daily basis, but also talk about the days full of training and education ahead of them.

“Training opportunities are harder and harder to come by,” Schmidt said. “I think in a world of online classes, we need more hands-training because firefighting is a hands-on service.”

The Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association hosts the annual event alongside the Fire School Committee. This year’s school consists of 33 classes in all phases of firemanship, fire investigation, rescue, fire, safety, leadership, officer training, fire prevention and EMS.

“We’re really excited,” said NSVFA President Shad Bryner. “We love coming here. We’ve been coming here for a very long time. These are great facilities, and we’ve seen the facilities grow throughout the year.”

Programming for the Nebraska Fire School runs from Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19. 

Video courtesy Spencer Schubert
Shad Bryner - President, Nebraska State Volunteer Firefighters Association:
Chief Cory Schmidt - Grand Island Fire Department