Updated 10:41 AM ET, January 06, 2014

(BOP) - The Federal Prison Camp (FPC) in Alderson, West Virginia, has been home to Company 25, a federal fire department for more than 35 years. The all-volunteer, all-female inmate fire brigade is one of the few fire departments operating inside a federal prison. In addition to providing fire fighting services for the federal prison camp, the brigade provides backup for local volunteer fire departments in the community. Throughout the years, the FPC Alderson Fire Department has responded to hundreds of calls and has been credited with helping to prevent thousands of dollars in property loss.

Located in rural West Virginia, FPC Alderson's Fire Department began in 1978 as an effort to ensure that the facility could provide an immediate and rapid response to fires occurring within the prison. Each year, approximately 40 female inmates are assigned to the FPC Alderson Fire Department. They are carefully screened for the program and they receive the same training and certifications required of volunteer fire fighters in the community. The instruction and certifications are provided at no cost to the government.

FPC Alderson's firefighters are invited each year to compete against other departments from across West Virginia in the annual Fireman's Rodeo held in Alderson, WV. The only all-female squad, Company 25 traditionally places well in the event; an indication of their training and dedication.

In addition to giving back to the community, inmates learn valuable skills that can assist them in making a successful transition back into the community. After release, several Company 25 firefighters began careers as EMTs and still others joined the ranks of their local Volunteer Fire Departments.