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@calfire_trainingprogram

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Not your typical day at the beach. Last week, CAL FIRE San Diego was grateful to the @carlsbadfiredepartment for the use of Ponto Jetty, where swift water rescue technicians from multiple agencies gathered for hands-on recertification training together.

From confidence swims and throw bag techniques to boat operations, shallow water crossings and tethered swimmer rescues, firefighters worked through real-life rescue scenarios. It was a chance to sharpen familiar skills, pick up a few new techniques and put their training to the test.

The training brought together firefighters and lifeguards from multiple agencies throughout San Diego County, along with our friends from across the border at the Tijuana Fire Department, @bomberos.tijuana It’s always a great opportunity to train together, learn from one another and build friendships that extend well beyond the beach.

Photo and video credits:
Odd-numbered slides: @logangrahamphoto
Even-numbered slides: @calfiresandiego

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Garlic fries, funnel cake, giant turkey legs, and ice cream... oh my! 🍦🍗✨
Fleet Week food makes the day better, but our crew makes it the best! 😋
While Fire Apparatus Engineer (FAE) Melissa Bell is busy diving into all the yummy Fleet Week noms, our Northern Region Recruitment/Hiring Supervisor, Felicia Rafalowski, is here to remind you that a career with us comes with great perks... including top-tier snack break while hosting at the biggest and best air show around! 😉🔥 🇺🇸

@CAL_FIRE
#CALFIRE #RVETSCALFIRE #FleetWeekSF #SFFW #JoinCALFIRE @calfire @calfire_trainingprogram @calfirecareers

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Fleet Week 2026 is live! 🇺🇸✨
Catch CAL FIRE CZU all week long for ship tours, community concerts, and live action demos!
Public safety 🤝 Military service. So many of our firefighters carry the same courage and commitment defined by our armed forces. We’re proud to continue serving our communities alongside our military heroes.
See you out here! 🙌🔥
#CALFIRE #RVETSCALFIRE #FleetWeekSF #SFFW #JoinCALFIRE IgniteYourPassion

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🔥 There’s more to a career at CAL FIRE than fighting fires.

Protecting California takes people with a wide range of skills and expertise, from resource management and automotive work to construction, maintenance, and the skilled trades. These careers are vital in supporting the people, equipment, and resources behind our mission.

Introducing the youth to these career paths gives them an opportunity to see the work up close, meet the people who do it, and learn about careers they may not have considered.

Today, students from Oakdale Junior High School got to do just that at the CAL FIRE Training Center in Ione through our partnership with the Torlakson Whole Child Institute. They worked alongside CAL FIRE personnel, participated in hands-on activities, and learned about the many career opportunities that help protect California.

#CALFIRE #IoneTrainingCenter #CareerExploration #JoinCALFIRE
@whole_child_institute @calfire_trainingprogram

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What does it take to fight a fire several floors above the ground? High-rise fires are physically demanding and complex, with firefighters moving hose and equipment through the building while managing operations across multiple floors.

This week, CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire Battalion 3 conducted high-rise fire operations training inside Jamul Casino Resort, bringing multiple engines and firefighters together for training on a scale not previously conducted at the facility. The drills meant carrying heavy equipment up stairs, stretching hose through the building and working through challenging rescue scenarios.

Thank you to Jamul Indian Village and to the staff of Jamul Casino Resort for opening the doors to the facility and making this training possible. We truly appreciate the opportunity to train in a real-world environment and the support that made this day possible.

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Busy day yesterday at the Max Fire shop.

Another Max Fire Box Phase I with the Thermal Imaging-Ventilation Attachment shipped out and is officially California bound.

This one is going with a SEEK FirePRO 300, retractable lanyard, multiple boxes of fuel loads, and in-service training.

Scroll through the pictures and check out the video. That’s what we’re looking forward to when this crate arrives.

We’ll put the SEEK FirePRO 300 in their hands and use the Max Fire Box as the interactive learning environment to put reps in.

Survey Mode. TI Basic. Convection currents. Heat movement. Ventilation. Fire behavior.

Learn the camera. Understand what it’s telling you. Put the reps in prior to the emergency scene.

California, we’ll see you soon.

Don’t Tell Me. Show Me. Burn & Learn.

Questions about the Max Fire Box, SEEK Thermal Imaging Cameras, or in-service training?

Mark Cannon
417-622-6352 @seekthermal #maxfirebox #burnandlearn #maxfiretraining #maxfireseekthermal

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Seven CAL FIRE San Diego personnel graduated last Friday, September 11, in Ione, California, as part of Company Officer Academy (COA) Class 26-12, the department’s 12th leadership academy of 2026. These newest Company Officers are stepping into leadership roles, carrying forward a legacy of courage, service, and commitment to protecting California communities.

With this graduation, CAL FIRE has appointed 431 new Company Officers in 2026 and remains on track to welcome more than 500 into leadership roles by the end of the year. Of the 12 COA classes held so far this year, nine completed training at the Ione Training Center and three at the Redding Training Center, with three more classes scheduled to graduate later this year.

Congratulations to the graduates of COA Class 26-12 on this incredible achievement, welcome to the next chapter of leadership!

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Huge congratulations to Fire Captain Ben Pavan and Fire Apparatus Engineer Clay Brown on graduating from Company Officer Academy #26-12!
Unit Chief Jed Wilson and Battalion Chief Travis Pridemore joined friends, family, and fellow firefighters in Ione today to celebrate this major career milestone.
Stepping into the role of Company Officer means taking on greater responsibility as a leader, mentor, and decision-maker on the line—ensuring our crews are always prepared to safely and effectively protect our communities.
Captain Pavan and Engineer Brown have shown dedication, professionalism, and outstanding leadership. We couldn’t be prouder to celebrate their accomplishment and look forward to the continued impact they’ll make across CAL FIRE CZU! 🔥👏 @countyofsantacruz @sanmateocounty @calfire_trainingprogram @calfirecareers

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On September 11th, we remember and honor those we serve.

Breach Ours.
Save Theirs.

#neverforget #neverforget911 #sept11 #forcibleentry #wherewereyou

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🎒 Back to school at the CAL FIRE Academy.

From classroom instruction to hands-on training, our firefighters are refining their skills, expanding their knowledge, and preparing for the next step in their careers.

Every lesson, drill, and repetition builds on prior experience as a firefighter and prepares them for greater responsibilities in the fire service.

To date, CAL FIRE training centers have graduated 318 new company officers in 2026. New company officers return to their unit prepared for leadership positions.

Here’s to everyone heading back to class and continuing to learn. 👏

#BackToSchool #Firefighter #Careers #ClassIsBack

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CAL FIRE CZU Strike Team 9171C is back home! 🚒💨
Our engine companies wrapped up a cover assignment in the CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU), where they were deployed.
While covering TCU, ST9171C stayed busy responding to a variety of calls, including medical aids, multiple vegetation fires, and a structure fire. Though our crews were eager and ready to stay as long as needed, we’re glad to have them back home safe and sound in the CZU!
Welcome back, ST9171C! 👏 @calfire_tcu @calfire_trainingprogram

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A fire shelter is made with layers of heat resistant materials designed to provide limited protection from radiant and convective heat. Every wildland firefighter in the United States carries one when assigned to a fire, but it is intended only for situations when all other means of escape have been exhausted.

In this demonstration, a firefighter slowly moves through the process of getting into the shelter and positioning it correctly. The process is quick but using a fire shelter is a last resort and not a substitute for good decision making, situational awareness and escape routes.

Fire shelters are one of the tools wildland firefighters carry into some of the most unpredictable environments they may face. Knowing how and when to use one is an important part of firefighter training.

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