The Ambulances for Afghanistan project is believed to be the first - and maybe only - effort in the nation to ship a fully equipped ambulance over for use by the Afghan people.

Now, the project is taking a further step.

The Ashburnham Fire Department is one of the few fire departments in the area accredited to train EMTs, said Chief Zbikowski. In collaboration with Cushing Academy, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Association, Ashburnham's department is putting together a training program for Afghans.