The West Virginia University Extension Fire Service has received another five-year accreditation from the Pro Board, reaffirming its commitment to delivering nationally recognized, high-quality fire service training.
As a flagship leader in the state, WVU Extension Fire Service remains the only fire service training program in West Virginia to hold this accreditation.
"For agencies delivering fire service certifications, Pro Board accreditation is the gold standard of independent, third-party assessment,” Mark Lambert, director of WVU Extension Fire Service, said. “This reaccreditation affirms that our certification testing processes are fair, valid, and reliable, bolstering the credibility of every credential we issue.”
The Pro Board site visit team evaluated the WVU Extension Fire Service program and found no corrective actions or deficiencies. The Pro Board team also went out of their way to praise several WVU Extension Fire Service practices as “truly exemplary,” highlighting them as potential models to share with other states for effective implementation.
“It solidifies our national recognition and positions the State Fire Academy as a flagship leader in fire training, empowering us to expand programs and continue setting the bar for professional standards,” Lambert said. “I also want to recognize Ralph McNemar, program coordinator for WVU Extension Fire Service, who spearheaded this whole process, he did a tremendous job.”
During the Pro Board site visit, Mark Pare, team leader and director of Rhode Island Fire Training Academy, expressed how impressed he was with WVU Extension Fire Service and the strong practices they have in place.
“During our two-day site visit, WVU Extension Fire Service clearly demonstrated they have the capabilities, facilities and examination practices to meet every requirement,” Pare said. “They test 100% of the JPRs, require 100% proficiency on skills, use Starlink to support computer-based testing, and maintain policy manuals that align directly with Pro Board criteria. It’s a robust, well-run program.”
If you want to learn more about WVU Extension, visit extension.wvu.edu or follow @WVUExtension on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.
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an/03/05/2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Aden Nickerson
Communications Specialist
WVU Division for Land-Grant Engagement
aden.nickerson@mail.wvu.edu