This history covers the first half of the Training Division's years, from 1947-1975.
The first training officer for Central Fire was Chief Orin McAbee who was also given the responsibility of handling the Fire Prevention Bureau. Chief McAbee was appointed to this position when the Cottage Grove District came into Central Fire District in 1948.
On 1 July 1954 Acting Captain James Ackley became the Department Training Officer. Due to the lack of personnel he too was overworked in other positions. Ackley was the local Civil Defense Instructor, and most of his time was taken up training the citizens of the area in both day and night classes. Ackley held this position until his promotion to Battalion Chief and assigned to line duty.
1 Jul 1955 Ed Severns was promoted to Battalion Chief/Director of Training, with Captain Curtis Kirby appointed as his Assistant Training Officer. Severns set up the first formal training procedures, adding written department procedures to accompany the State Training Manual.
Up until this time all training was done at or near the stations. Due to the need for better training facilities, Chief Severns drew up specifications for a drill tower and drafting pit, and managed to sell the idea to the administration and Fire Commissioners. The drill tower was put into operation at the Headquarters Station along with the drafting pit in 1962.
Chief Severns was promoted to Assistant Chief on 1 Jan 1963 and Chief Kirby was elevated to Director of Training. While in that position, Chief Kirby developed the training manual and evolutions. He set up the Department Occupational Analysis, and helped to develop the State of California Occupational Analysis.
Each Captain had his own favorite subject for training to the point that other subjects were being neglected, so Chief Kirby first developed and put into operation a scheduled "standardized" weekly company drill to assure uniform training on all topics, this also included alternate drills in case of inclement weather.
In late 1962 Chief Kirby inaugurated the annual pumper test to maintain all fire apparatus to at least its rated capacity. In 1963 he started the hose testing program to assure its safety and reliability.
On 2 Aug 1970 Chief Kirby was promoted to Chief Engineer, and the Director of Training position was filled by Chief Caccamo. With the constant direct training of personnel, there was very little time left over to pursue additional needed jobs in the training division, but when Chief Caccamo took over, he made significant progress in getting the written material out to the field personnel. Chief Caccamo remained in this position until his disability retirement on 1 Aug 1974.
The Director of Training position remained vacant until Chief John Cornelius (former Assistant Chief with Los Gatos Fire) took over in November 1972. Chief Cornelius was well qualified for the job having gained experience as the Training Officer for the City of Santa Clara Fire, prior to his going to Los Gatos.
On 22 Oct 1972 Robert Webster was assigned as Training Officer, and on 22 Jul 1974 Dan Sylvester was assigned as Training Instructor.
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