- Home
- Departments
- Fire Department
- Operations
Operations
Shift Captains
The Operations Bureau is lead by three shift captains that oversee the day-to-day operations of the fire department.
Andy Jones, A Shift, Equipment & PPE
Dean Williams, B Shift, Fleet
Todd Wilson, C Shift, Training Officer
Since the mid-1970's the Sanger Fire Department has provided high-quality prehospital services to its citizens. In 1981, the Department initiated a paramedic program which now serves as a model for much of Fresno County. The challenge emergency medical service (EMS) providers face is to make important, sometimes critical decisions with a limited amount of time and information. Below you will find a summary concerning your EMS system.
EMS Program
The EMS program is administered through the Fire Department and as a result, all EMS personnel are also professional firefighters experienced in a variety of specialized skills such as:
- Extrication
- High and low angle rope rescue
- Suppression and confinement of hazardous materials
- Swift water and confined space rescue
- Technical rescue
Paramedic Level Staff
All firefighters are specifically trained as either Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) or Paramedics. Currently, over half of the Department is trained to the Paramedic level. Each member of the Department is required by the State of California and Fresno County to complete at least 24 hours of continuing education for EMTs and 48 hours for Paramedics every two years. The required training for EMS providers is normally medically-based and keeps the members of the Department abreast of industry changes and advances in prehospital medicine.
Ambulance Staffing
The Sanger Fire Department requires at least two Paramedics on duty at all times. Currently, the Department provides two ambulances staffed with at least one Paramedic on each ambulance. Additionally, the Department places a Paramedic on the fire engine to provide care when both ambulances are committed to other calls. This ensures rapid arrival of Advanced Life Support (ALS) to each medical emergency.
Service Areas
The boundary for the Paramedic ambulances is not limited to the City of Sanger. Currently, the Department provides ALS support to approximately 130 square miles of eastern Fresno County.
Today's fires occur in all types of environments and firefighters must be prepared. Structural firefighting occurs when fire attacks residential and commercial structures such as homes, businesses, apartment complexes, etc. Firefighters are faced with hundreds of other types of fires such as vehicle fires to large wildland fires. Fires have become more dangerous for firefighters in recent years due to manufacturing and construction changes.
Sanger Fire Department works with the surrounding fire agencies and the Fresno County Department of Environmental Resources to provide a hazardous materials response team.
Certification
All department members of this team are certified to the Hazardous Materials Operations/Decon level with 4 members certified to the Hazmat Technician level.
As the Sanger Fire Department is an all-risk organization, there are other training disciplines that require specialized skills.
Specialized Emergency Rescue Operations
The Technical Rescue Team provides specialized emergency rescue operations that occur infrequently, yet represent an additional challenge and dangerous component to the Firefighter's job. Members are trained in Low Angle Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Swift Water Rescue and Trench Rescue with yearly training in these specialized disciplines.
Training is one of the single most important functions of the Fire Department. Over the years the Fire Service has become more mentally challenging and the demands for knowledge by firefighters has steadily increased. Firefighter roles have expanded to include areas beyond fire protection. New responsibilities include hazardous materials, technical rescue, and advanced life support.
Activities & Training
It is the responsibility of the Sanger Fire Department's Training Division to meet the on-going changing needs of today's fire service. The Training Captain develops a monthly training schedule and is responsible for administering and documenting all training activities and safety training that include:
- Coordinate training activities with city, county and state agencies to ensure compliance with standards and legal requirements.
- Evaluating the training level of individual employees and employee shifts.
- Plan and coordinate training with the other organizations.
- Plan, provide and supervise department recruit academies.
- Research recommendations and provide training in new concepts.
California Training Officer's Symposium Training
The City of Sanger Fire Department also takes full advantage of training offered at the California Training Officer's Symposium held in November each year.
In-House Mandatory Fire and Emergency Medical Training
Personnel completed over 3,000 hours of in-house mandatory fire and emergency medical training.