Members of the West Virginia Legislature received a good dose of gold and blue during June’s summer interim sessions by visiting two of the University’s stomping grounds at WVU Jackson’s Mill and the West Virginia State Fire Training Academy in Lewis County.
These visits offered more than a tour, they spotlighted how the University’s hands-on approach is fueling workforce readiness, public service, and leadership development across West Virginia.
Where First Responders Get Their Start: WVU Fire Service Extension
A Forest 81 firefighter helmet on display at the West Virginia State Fire Training Academy
Legislators explored WVU Fire Service Extension’s West Virginia State Fire Training Academy, the second-oldest fire academy in the nation. As the hub where volunteer firefighters train to protect local communities, legislators learned how modular training trailers work and heard stories of firefighters in the making.
Fire training became part of the WVU Extension Service in 1974. For 35 years, WVU Fire Service Extension has developed many new training courses and standardized curricula, introduced National Fire Academy courses, offered national qualification testing and certifications and trained firefighters in regional schools and at the annual State Fire School.
Standout efforts include:
- Recognition as the 2025 National Junior Fire Camp of the Year by the National Volunteer Fire Council
- Mobile and modular training units that bring hands-on instruction to rural communities
- NFPA-certified instruction as West Virginia’s only Pro Board-accredited training provider
- FAA-required training for all seven commercial airports in the state
- Advancing first responder training for electric, hybrid, and alternative fuel vehicles, in partnership with WVU Extension’s NAFTC
- A legislatively funded research initiative focused on firefighter recruitment and retention
- Launching the University’s first student fire training course this fall, offering Firefighter I certification
Legislators get a firsthand look at WVU’s Fire Training Academy
A Living Legacy: WVU Jackson’s Mill at the Heart of Youth Leadership
A glimpse of Braxton Cottage at Jackson’s Mill
Legislators also traded firefighting gear for trail shoes as they toured WVU Jackson’s Mill. Welcomed by Director David Snively and a team that lives and breathes experiential learning, the visit offered a glimpse into the Mill’s past stories, ongoing capital improvements, and year-round youth engagement. As the Harrison County 4-H Camp buzzed with activity, the group toured the grounds and saw the University’s mission in motion.
In just the past year, Jackson’s Mill has:
- Hosted 12+ hands-on youth camps and workshops, including blacksmithing and historic preservation
- Welcomed nearly 1,000 youth campers and 1,500+ students through school field trips
- Provided homeschool and weekend public programs, reaching hundreds more
- WVU Jackson’s Mill Historic Area hosted a total of 6,000–7,000 visitors and program participants
- Completed a new outdoor classroom pavilion to expand site capacity and instructional space
Legislators gather for a presentation at Jackson’s Mill