11 Firefighter-Paramedics To Join San Ramon Valley Fire

SAN RAMON VALLEY, CA — Eleven new firefighter-paramedics are expected to join the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District team.

The recruits graduated the district's 16-week Fire Academy on Jan. 17, said Batallion Chief Jim Selover, a coordinator for this year's academy. In the academy, they practiced battling the flames of a wildfire, rescuing someone from a confined space, emergency medicine, using a hose and ladder, performing a rope rescue and more.

SRVFPD Fire Academy participants already come to the program as paramedics and have some experience learning about firefighting, but the SRVFPD academy teaches recruits about their particular policies, procedures and equipment.

The recruits are a great group who work well together, Selover said.

"I'm proud of them, it's a huge accomplishment to get through the academy and work for San Ramon Valley Fire," he said.

Post-academy, the prospective hires will go through a supervised trial period to ensure they're ready for the job and following procedures. They also must work a 48-hour shift, meeting new supervisors and getting familiar with the system.

The recruits will help SRVFPD staff up another ambulance and fill positions of staff who have retired. The 11 new hires will help SRVFPD better respond to simultaneous emergencies, Selover said.

"We hope to continue with what we do," he said, "providing excellent customer service and emergency response."