“We recently added more space to the station, including a larger training and meeting room. It’s designed to handle bigger groups and includes the Smart Board as a main focus point and teaching tool,” said deputy chief, Jason Haluski. “The space gives us more flexibility for department training, meetings, and community events — it’s made a huge improvement in how we operate day to day.”
The department wrote an Operation Round Up grant around this time to update their equipment, which included the purchase of a Smartboard.

“The Smart Board has completely changed how we teach. It lets us run interactive lessons with videos, diagrams, and real-time drawing right on the screen,” said Haluski. “We can review incidents, show fire ground layouts, or demonstrate tactics without needing a projector or printed materials. Overall, it’s improved communication, increased engagement, and made training more efficient across the board.”

It has allowed for a wide variety of classes, CPR and first aid, continuing education for fire fighters, driver-operator training, EMS continuing education, and public education programs. It has also been very helpful to have the space and equipment for the local community as well.

“Along with our own department, we’ve hosted training and meetings for neighboring fire departments, EMS agencies and Cumberland County Emergency Management,” he said. “Cape Fear Valley LifeLink AirCare has used it for a helicopter landing zone training classroom session, the Goodyear Emergency Response Team uses it for their planning and training sessions, and local civic groups have used the space for safety meetings and community events. It’s become a shared resource for multiple organizations.”

And when the station has visitors, particularly students, they have a walk-through of the trucks and equipment, meeting the firefighters, and learning about fire safety and prevention, The Smart Board has made a difference as it allows showings of short videos, and interactive demonstrations.
Haluski says it has been a great addition for the Westarea Fire Department because it shows that the community and South River EMC believe in what Westarea is doing. It gave the department the push they needed to get the project moving, and it felt good knowing the community wanted to invest in firefighter education and safety.

That’s your Operation Round Up proceeds in action.