Two Mocksville Fire Department firefighters have upraded training that can not only save lives, can help other firefighters in potentially life-threatening situations.

C.J. Dwiggins and Cameron Chappell, also full-time firefighters for Winston-Salem, were instrumental in getting certification from  the N.C. Association of Rescue and Emergency Medical Services in Light Rescue Provider, Confined Space Rescue Provider and as a Medical Responder Unit.

It is a detailed set of standards, training and equipment that must be maintained for each service, and took 14 months for the and more than 200 hours for the firefighters to train and for the department to obtain the equipment.

“It’s really a big deal,” said Fire Chief Frank Carter. “We started this about 14 months ago.”

The department has 19 certified rescue technicians, eight confined space technicians and 28 EMTs.

“The department wants to constantly improve service,” Carter said. It is in the process of purchasing a new fire truck paid for by the town.

The department hopes to lower the ISO, or insurance rating, next year, although the rate for homeowners is as low as it can go, Carter said. It has invested some $10,000 into new equipment.

Last year, Mocksville firefighters answered more than 1,000 calls. They had CPR saves last year, and according to Carter, opioid overdoses are becoming way too common.