COPAKE, NY — December 29 — Two members of Copake Fire Company #1, situated at 390 County Route 7A, have successfully finished the Interior Firefighting Operations training at the Columbia County Fire Training Centre.

Over 60 hours of classroom and practical teaching were covered over the ten-week course. Interior fire assault, search operations, ventilation, hose management, and firefighter safety were all included in the training. After completing their training, the members became certified interior firemen and joined colleagues from Columbia County agencies. Assistant instructors Ramos, Lindop-Braun, and Laviano assisted New York State Fire Instructor Tracy Alexander in leading the program. Copake Fire is still recruiting locals. Columbia County's fire department is still entirely volunteer-run, and prospective volunteers can get training.