Training
A history of the Training Division can be found on the Training Division History page. TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES
This Ford V10 extended cab crew van serves the training division. Photo taken December 2002 at the Sunnyoaks training facility. 
from the collection of Dick Ravizza
Training Division equipment on display at Tully Headquarters, 1963.
TRAINING DIVISION RESPONSIBILITIESACADEMIES
CALENDAR
The Training Division staff produces a monthly training calendar prior to the 15th of every month. Information on the training calendar includes fire company class and drill schedules, course assignments, meeting schedules, and station coverage information for the month. An annual planning guide, produced in October of each year, identifies the planned training elements for the following year. CALIFORNIA JOINT APPRENTICESHIP COMMITTEE (CALJAC)The California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee has declared it to be their purpose and policy to establish and maintain an organized, planned system of apprenticeship, recruitment and training conducted as a joint labor and management undertaking. The committee also declared its primary goals to be:
This program is coordinated through the California Professional Firefighters. The advisory committee is made up of three (3) personnel from management and three (3) personnel from labor. CERTIFICATIONS
CLASS B-FIREFIGHTERThe Santa Clara County Fire Department conducts annual testing for driver operators of emergency fire apparatus in cooperation with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. This is conducted through on going training and testing administered to personnel through the Training Division. The program includes testing of new employees, change in license status, test-on-demand, etc. Each fire station, shop facility, as well as the Training Division, retains an instruction manual within their respective library. All newly hired firefighters are put through a two week, 80-hour driver operator program within the first 6 months of employment. COMMITTEES
CARDIO PULMONARY RESUSCITATION/CPR PROGRAMThe Training Division maintains a liaison for the Department with the American Heart Association, citizens, and community centers for CPR training. The Santa Clara County Fire Department handles all paperwork, including administrating of CPR cards. CPR instructors are assigned from the Department's list of instructors. All administrative documentation, testing, reporting materials, and mannequins are maintained through the Santa Clara County Fire Department's Training Division. The Department's CPR Coordinator insures that instructors are re-certified every two years. The Department's Regional Faculty, credentialed by American Heart Association, certify these instructors. All line/office personnel are certified by CPR instructors within the fire department. DRILL TOWERThe Santa Clara County Fire Department conducts multi company drill tower exercises biweekly. A minimum of 3 in-service fire companies and a Chief Officer participate on a pre scheduled rotation. These mandatory drills are conducted on Saturdays between 0900 and 1200 hours weekly. Additional drill tower exercises involving individual and company performance testing are also conducted at this facility throughout the year. Departments involved with automatic aid agreements with the Santa Clara County Fire Department are invited to participate in multi company evaluations on a regular schedule. EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAL/EMT PROGRAM
EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND FITNESSThe Physical Fitness Program is established to enable all personnel to maintain a level of fitness to be able to safely perform their assigned functions and to reduce the probability and severity of occupational injuries and illnesses. The Physical Fitness Program is under the medical supervision of the fire department's employee health management team. HONOR GUARDThe Training Officers act as the staff liaison to the Santa Clara County Fire Department Honor Guard. Firefighters and company officers participate as Honor Guard members on a voluntary basis. Activities include parades, funeral services for present and retired Department members, and flag presentations at County and local government functions throughout Santa Clara County. TRAINING LIBRARY MANAGEMENTThe Santa Clara County Fire Department maintains an extensive training library in each of its 16 fire stations. Additional library materials are located at Fire Department Headquarters in the Training Division and are available as reference materials to Department personnel for preparation for promotional examinations and research projects. PERSONNEL/HUMAN RESOURCESThe Training Division manages recruitment, promotional examination, employee assessment centers, and probationary testing. Newly hired firefighters are placed on 18 month probationary periods upon successful completion of a 10 week recruit academy. After the completion of the recruit academy, the probationary firefighter is required to complete the agency specific training and driver operator program. Testing is conducted at the completion of each module (or section of study). The workbook consists of five (5) modules and a company officer signs each module upon successful skill demonstration in the field. An additional final exam is administered at the completion of the probationary period. PERSONNEL/TESTINGIndividual performance tests are conducted for each firefighter and company officer annually. The skills tested include, but are not limited to:
All in-service fire companies are examined quarterly. Crews must successfully complete the identified evolution safely and within the prescribed time frame. TRAINING/CONTINUED PROFESSION LIAISONThe Training Division sends personnel to specialized training on an ongoing basis. Many classes are conducted with the "Train the Trainer" concept in mind. Division staff members locate the classes, schedule attendance and support those individuals who are sent as representatives of the Department. Further educational opportunities are available for all Department personnel through County Fire's Tuition Reimbursement and matching funds programs. TRAINING RECORDS
TRAINING REFERENCESA minimum of twenty (20) hours of training per month are required of each line staff employee. Hours are logged by company officers for all training conducted at the fire company level and by the Training Division staff for monthly and specialized training courses.
VIDEO PROGRAMA training video is produced each month and distributed to all 16 fire stations, the maintenance shop, Fire Prevention, and Headquarters' administrative staff. The monthly training video may include manipulative skills information, safety information, Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) protocol updates and tactical firefighting information.
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMThe Santa Clara County Fire Department has approximately 40 allotted positions for Volunteer Firefighters. A Volunteer Action Guide covers all aspects of the Volunteer Division. Each volunteer must complete annual skills checkoffs during a calendar year. These skills may be checked off by station company officers or the Training Division staff. All volunteers are re-tested annually on basic skills.
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