Sunflower County Emergency Services kicked off their 2026 Third Thursday Training series this month at the Moorhead Volunteer Fire Department.
This month’s session focused on SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) air management, specifically the mental side of operating under pressure. By tracking air consumption rates during the drills, instructors showed that mask confidence and staying calm are often just as important to a firefighter’s endurance as physical fitness. This training helps responders develop the steady breathing habits needed to work longer and stay safer during an actual emergency.
The monthly training sessions are led by certified Fire Service Instructors using both locally-developed training objectives and peer-reviewed lesson plans. Beyond the Third Thursday drills, the county also runs two full certification courses each year—covering everything from Firefighter I and Emergency Medical Responder to Volunteer Fire Officer I & II for fire leadership. The county also brings the Mississippi State Fire Academy to the local community twice a year for specialized 12-hour courses.
“Our Third Thursday program is about more than just checking a box for continuing education; it’s about refining the life-saving science of our craft,” said Sunflower County Fire Coordinator Mitch Ramage. “By applying these high standards to every drill, we are building a culture of continuous improvement. We want our personnel to have the tools and the confidence to perform at their peak, ensuring that our firefighters are prepared to meet the challenges of the modern fireground and return home safely.”
