ANTLERS, Okla. -- The Antlers Fire Department is working to keep local communities safe by extensively training their firefighters.

The Antlers Fire Department is hosting the 'Firefighter One Training Academy' for 24 area firefighters, 22 of who are volunteers.

The training academy is a 136-hour course that takes seven weeks to complete. Chief Randy Janoe says at the end of the course, all firefighters will have the basic knowledge and skills to confidently fight any fire because on-the-job training is not an option.

"The dangers are too harsh; the risk of lives is too high. Proper training needs techniques and how to do it," Janoe said.

Everyone who takes part in the training academy must be a firefighter, and each of them gives a $100 donation to cover expenses of the seven-week course.