VIDEO: The Laurens County Fire Department, like many rural fire departments, desperately needs volunteers.
A class of volunteer firefighter candidates at the Laurens County Fire Department took one step closer to their goal Saturday.
"It's a great opportunity to just work for my community," said Cleveland Wiley, a volunteer candidate.
The group began their day running two miles at Southern Pines Regional Park. Then they drove out to the burn building where they practiced a variety of skills required to be a firefighter.
Activities included dragging a hose, climbing stairs and ladders, hoisting and carrying equipment, forcing their way into a building, and dragging out victims. In this case, they used training dummies.
"This right is here is prepping me up for the real world of becoming a fireman," Wiley said.