San Rafael, CA – Seven recruits graduated August 29 from the Marin County Regional Fire Academy, a nine-week course jointly held by the Marin County Fire Department and the Southern Marin Fire District.
At a ceremony held at Southern Marin Station 9 in Strawberry, fire administrators welcomed Henry Bustamante and Jordan Degen to Marin County Fire, and Christopher Dittman, Robert Grady, Peter Gundolff, Ryan Meier and Adam Monte to Southern Marin Fire.
Over the course of the academy, conducted primarily at Station 9 on Reed Boulevard, the newly appointed firefighters learned skills related to structural and wildland firefighting, rescue practices and advanced medical techniques. Classes were taught by other firefighters within the departments with special skills and training.
“This academy was truly been a team effort, not only between the two fire districts but all of our personnel have been involved in the training efforts in one way or another in an effort to bring these new firefighters on board as efficiently and effectively as possible,” said Matt Barnes, Battalion Chief with Southern Marin Fire. “Our communities will now benefit by the additional staff and expertise that these recruits will provide.”
Academies are held about once each year by individual agencies. Mark Brown, Deputy Chief of Marin County Fire, said if agencies hire new personnel at about the same time, they can conduct a joint academy to provide a cost savings for each agency.
The graduates will be assigned to work shifts and stations where they will serve 18 months of probation.
Marin County Fire currently staffs its six stations with a total of 80 personnel working three shifts. Southern Marin Fire has 50 personnel covering three stations.
Young adults interested in a career in the fire service can contact either department: www.marincountyfire.org or 415-473-6717; www.smfd.org or 415-388-8182.