MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (July 1, 2025) – Fifteen newly hired firefighters began duties at fire stations across Berkeley County today, effectively expanding 24-hour career fire protection coverage countywide.
After 15 weeks of training, Berkeley County’s first recruit class graduated on Friday, officially joining the ranks of the Berkeley County Fire Department.
“I’m very proud of this group, they have trained very hard and pushed through the challenges that come with being a firefighter,” Berkeley County Fire Chief Martin Roberts said.
Funding for the additional fighters was made possible through a cost-sharing agreement between the Berkeley County Commission and the Berkeley County Fire Service Board.
“Through this partnership, we are able to staff each of the County’s five volunteer fire stations for 24-hour coverage,” Berkeley County Commission President Eddie Gochenour said.
“This collaboration would not have been possible without the support of the taxpayers, fire board and the volunteers, and the fire equipment, stations and service they have provided our community for decades. We look forward to continuing to work with the volunteers and thank them for their service,” Gochenour said.
The newly hired firefighters have been assigned to one of three shifts, and most have been designated to primarily work from a particular volunteer fire department station (Back Creek Valley VFD, Baker Heights VFD, Bedington VFD, Hedgesville VFC or South Berkeley FVC). A few members of the Department’s 38-member roster are designated as a shift “floater” and will provide coverage where needed, according to Chief Roberts. The first of the new hires began duties at 6 AM today.
The following individuals graduated from the County’s first-ever fire academy on Friday:
Andrew Biller, Jesse Bly, Roger Bradford, John Dykstra, Bohdi Fritzsch, Richard Hahn, Eduardo Hernandez, Garrison Huggins, Matthew Jones, Devon Kidwell, Cody Kief, Daniel Miller, Ashton Shambaugh, Shawn Stevenson, Jed Tighe
BACKGROUND: Recognized in 2022 as the first certified County Fire Department in the state by the West Virginia Fire Commission, the Berkeley County Fire Department began hiring full-time firefighters in 2010 with 12-hour coverage provided Monday thru Friday.