Pratt VFD receives ‘perfect evaluation,’ re-certification

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esidents of the upper Kanawha Valley will continue to receive assistance in times of fire emergencies after the local volunteer department received a “perfect evaluation” and was re-certified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

“We are proud to announce that we received a perfect evaluation from the [West Virginia] State Fire Marshal’s Office,” Robert Shanklin, chief of the Pratt Volunteer Fire Department, announced in a post on the department’s Facebook page.

“This evaluation covers our training records, maintenance of our equipment and tools, as well as financial audits that are conducted,” Shanklin said.

After the evaluation, the volunteer department was granted re-certification. According to a letter from the state Fire Marshal’s Office, Pratt VFD’s certification will remain through April 2030.

Shanklin said he and the volunteers are proud to have the backing of locals.

“We are thankful for the community and their continued support of us, and especially our members that help behind the scenes of the department,” Shanklin said.

Header Image: Volunteers with the Pratt VFD participate in water day activities at Pratt Elementary in 2022. The station was recently re-certified through the State Fire Marshal's Office. (Photo courtesy Pratt VFD)