SLIPPERY ROCK — Hundreds of firefighters learned firefighting techniques this weekend at the Butler County Fire Chief's Association 57th annual Fire Training at several locations throughout Butler County.

This year, 611 students attended 21 classes all day Saturday and Sunday at Slippery Rock University, Butler County Community College and the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy.

According to the association, the group averages about 600 participants every year and offers courses for junior firefighters ages 14 to 17 through veterans of more than 30 years.

"Kids that age are really interested in getting involved. This is the second year we've tried to include more training for them beyond basic firemanship," said Andrew Huerbin, president of the association and the assistant chief of the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department.

"It's a broad spectrum of training. Volunteer services must have a much broader knowledge (than paid services) because we wear so many different hats," Huerbin said.

Classes ranged from driver training to arson detection and included live fires in BC3's burn building and at a home in Grove City. An advanced trench rescue class took place in Penn Township, teaching emergency personnel how to shore up hole collapses and rescue individuals trapped underneath.

"We are the largest fire training weekend in Pennsylvania," said Huerbin, a 20-year veteran firefighter.

The association encourages cooperation among county fire companies and their communities. It also serves as a refresher course in emergency response and firefighting technologies, as well as new federal, state and local laws pertaining to emergency service.

The association also awarded a $2,000 scholarship for post-secondary education to Cory Lefever of Saxonburg Fire Department and to Samuel Kenyon of the Mercer Road department in Butler Township.