annual report
hikers in the back-country of the San Bernardino National Forest. The
outstanding partnership between the Sheriff and Fire Department’s
Air Rescue Program has significantly decreased the time citizens and
visitors to our county previously experienced in their need to receive
lifesaving medical treatment and services.
Explorer Program
San Bernardino County Fire has participated in the Explorer program
for over 30 years; where youths 14 to 21 have the opportunity to
explore the fire service as a career. Through the leadership of career
and paid-call personnel these individuals have an opportunity of a real
world firefighting experience. They train along the full-time personal
learning many of the same skills. After their training, they are allowed
to ride on the fire engine on many calls. To date, there have been over
40 Explorers that have advanced into career positions from Phelan
Fire Station 10 alone, and this program continues to be a hiring pool
for the department. The explorer posts conduct fundraisers throughout
the year to provide for equipment and training.
Paramedic Service Available in
Baldy Mesa
On June 25, Fire Station 16 in the High Desert community of Baldy
Mesa, was staffed with a full-time professional firefighter/paramedic and
a limited term firefighter on a Paramedic Brush Patrol. A Brush Patrol
is capable of handling medical aids, traffic collisions with extrication,
and assisting other Engine Companies with fires of all types. With the
transition to full-time staffing, residents of Baldy Mesa have increased
service capabilities and response times have decreased.
Hesperia Services Enhanced
On August 12, County Fire increased both the number of emergency
response units and personnel in the City of Hesperia. Medic Engine
301 and Medic Ambulance 301 proudly returned to service, adding
an engineer to each of its three shifts; increasing staffing of two
personnel each day to the standard of three; a fire captain, engineer
and firefighter paramedic.
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