Kanawha County Approves Funding for First Responder Training

Commission to reimburse agencies for courses at Sissonville Fire and Rescue School

Jan. 29, 2026 at 8:23pm

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The Kanawha County Commission in West Virginia voted to reimburse county agencies for first responder training at the Sissonville Fire and Rescue School. The move is aimed at improving volunteer fire departments by covering the costs for firefighters, police officers, and EMS workers to attend the training courses.

Why it matters

This initiative highlights Kanawha County's commitment to public safety and strengthening its network of first responders. By providing financial support for training, the county hopes to encourage more participation and improve the overall readiness of its emergency services.

The details

Under the new reimbursement plan, agencies will pay upfront for their employees to attend the training courses at the Sissonville Fire and Rescue School. Once the students complete the courses and receive their certificates, they can submit a requisition and receipt to the county for reimbursement. The county plans to allocate between $30,000 and $60,000 from the Public Safety Grant to cover these costs.

  • The Sissonville Fire and Rescue School will offer its next courses in two sessions: March 6-8 and March 10-12.

The players

Lance Wheeler

Kanawha County Commissioner who pledged the commission would help improve volunteer fire departments by paying for first responder training.

C.W. Sigman

Kanawha County Emergency Manager who explained the reimbursement process to the commission.

Natalie Tennant

Kanawha County Commissioner who joined the meeting via Zoom and expressed support for the plan based on positive public feedback.

Sissonville Fire and Rescue School

The training facility where the first responder courses will be held.

Kanawha County

The county government in West Virginia that is funding the first responder training reimbursements.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of folks, say it's a good idea, I think I'll take a class and right before the school starts, they've already got the books, they've already encountered a lot of expenses and the student doesn't attend the class. If we have it where we reimburse, they'll get a little bit more push and oversight from leadership in the fire department and other agencies to make sure they complete the courses or they don't sign up unless they intend to take it.”

— C.W. Sigman, Kanawha County Emergency Manager

“We're a team, when a 911 call is made, we go as a team and that's when people lives are saved. So, I think is going to be excellent, I think this is going to work and I think it's going to improve first response here in Kanawha County.”

— Lance Wheeler, Kanawha County Commissioner

“I'm watching some of the Facebook, and people are saying like PJ Johnson Sissonville Fire School is the best, and so when we can get the reaction from those who know about it also out in the public it's a really good thing.”

— Natalie Tennant, Kanawha County Commissioner

What’s next

The Sissonville Fire and Rescue School will offer its next courses in two sessions: March 6-8 and March 10-12.

The takeaway

This reimbursement program demonstrates Kanawha County's proactive approach to supporting its network of first responders and improving public safety across the region. By covering the costs of essential training, the county is investing in the skills and readiness of its firefighters, police, and EMS personnel.