April 14, 2022 — We have had several nice spring days to get some training in! Firefighters across the District are constantly preparing for evaluations and conducting regular refresher trainings. Engine 28 of Shingle Springs was out conducting a portable ground monitor drill and Engine 26 of Placerville completed dynamic pumping evolutions for Engineer probationary evaluations.

The engineer position is new this year on all fire engines. Engineers are regularly undergoing evaluations, as part of a one-year probationary period, to assure that they are meeting all District standards. The probation period requires the commitment of many staff hours from all team members, especially the promoted Engineer. 14 Engineers were promoted this past year and are assigned to every District fire engine currently, meaning that each crew has a probationary Engineer. Creating a designated Engineer position was part of a business model framework plan that formalized a linear rank structure and enhances the fire engine operator role.

The District also has 18 probationary Firefighters completing training and evaluation requirements. This training is also necessary to assure that these Firefighters are ready to work within their roles on our fire engines and medic units. This process also requires many staff hours from the team. Lessons learned in this process set the foundation for these Firefighters for their knowledge, skills and abilities in their careers.