For the first six weeks of employment as a firefighter with the City of Wheeling fire Department new hires are assigned to the training division. Those six weeks are devoted to training these recruits to meet or exceed the minimum requirements set forth by the West Virginia State Fire Commission.

Training received includes:

• Firefighter I
• Firefighter II
• Hazardous Materials Operations level
• Emergency Vehicle Operations
• CPR / First Aid Training
• Mass Casualty incident training
• National Incident Management training levels:
  • 100
  • 200
  • 700
  • 800

After the indoctrination training is completed the recruit is assigned to the suppression division and is under the supervision of their company officer. The next 36 months are devoted to the apprenticeship program.  Monthly assignments are completed and documented with the training division.  After 36 months the recruit is eligible to sit for the West Virginia Professional Firefighters journeyman exam. This certification makes the recruit eligible for promotional exams.