Students completing the 240 hour firefighter 1 and 2 courses learned search and rescue techniques, firefighter health and safety, fire behavior, personal protective equipment, forcible entry, fire attack, ground ladder operations, ropes and knots, hose advancement, ventilation, use of tools and appliances and more.

York County volunteer CERT members are trained to help others following emergencies until professional responders arrive, to assist with basic first aid, traffic control, search and rescue operations, operating a shelter during an emergency, animal shelter, and more! The next CERT Basic Training is planned for late summer or early fall. Watch for for an announcement on York County Emergency Management Agency (YCEMA) to join the Community Emergency Response Team.

Ensuring emergency medical professionals have top-notch in-depth training in childbirth is essential and will be among an array of EMS courses available at the new First Responder Regional Training Center, on track to open early in 2026. In all, the training center will offer programs for law enforcement including police, corrections and dispatching, and for firefighters and emergency medical providers.

First County Foundation, the charitable arm of York County Government, is a nonprofit to support endeavors to strengthen communities.