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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Saving lives is a daily task for firefighters; this weekend, they got even more training to be prepared.

Almost 400 firefighters from across the Palmetto State were in Columbia for the 31st annual Southeastern Fire School March Training weekend. It is the largest training event put on by the state's Fire Academy; featuring 12 courses including putting out fires, as well as saving people from car and airplane accidents. Firefighters also learned new strategies to keep them safer.

State Fire Marshal Shane Ray said the training is especially critical for volunteer firefighters in rural areas.

"Learning how to flow large volumes of water on larger buildings, as well as how to operate in a more rural environment with volunteers," Ray said. "Our environment is changing. We have more materials in our houses today. Our houses tend to be bigger. All those things are where our tactics need to change."

The South Carolina Fire Academy in Columbia offers these types of training classes year round. To learn more, click here