Numbers down for fire academy

Given that 75 percent of Sonoma Valley’s firefighters are volunteers, the fact that this year’s Volunteer Fire Academy mustered only nine local recruits may be cause for concern.
“Usually, the academy had anywhere between 20 to 30 recruits,” Kenwood Fire Capt. Daren Bellach said. “The last five years, it has been declining rapidly.”
This year’s recruits – from the Kenwood, Glen Ellen, Sonoma Valley and Schell-Vista fire departments – began their training on March 13. The state-mandated 99-hour course is held at various Valley fire stations and finishes June 7. Among the topics covered are structure- and wildland-fire behavior, vehicle extrication, confined-space rescues and hose-and-ladder work. Bellach said last week’s training includes building construction and ventilation techniques.
Administrative captain Spencer Andreis, who oversees the Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Authority’s ongoing training, said the program covers the basics – with more specialized training when they return to their home departments. “Every week, they learn something different,” Andreis said.
Bellach said increased training requirements and changing North Valley demographics – more weekend residents, fewer families – have contributed to the recruiting drop. Sonoma Valley Fire Chief Philip Garcia said declining recruitment is a nationwide trend.
“There are not that many people that can commit the time,” Garcia said, explaining that volunteer firefighting attracts not only community-minded residents but also career-minded professionals – with the latter generally moving from station to station as they ascend in rank.
Bellach added that anyone interested in next year‘s academy should contact their local departments. The recruitment drive will begin January 2009.