County probation launches fire service training program

County Probation and County Fire have introduced a compre­hensive education and training program to help justice-involved young people at Probation. The Fuel Crew training program provides hands-on experience in vegetation and fuel manage­ment, preparing participants for careers in the fire service.

Those who successfully com­plete the program will become eligible to apply for positions in the fire service as Seasonal Firefighters or Forestry Tech­nicians. They may also have the opportunity to join the California Conservation Corps in a paid role, further expand­ing their career prospects. The one-year training will also sup­port young people interested in working in land management or resource conservation jobs for private companies.

For this program, County Fire Training Captains provide classroom instruction, physi­cal fitness instruction, medical training, and training on fuel management. Participants then apply what they’ve learned in the community, working to miti­gate wildfire risks.

At the program’s inaugura­tion celebration on August 28, Board of Supervisors Chair­woman Nora Vargas acknowl­edged the achievements of the first two groups of trainees. “We believe in you, and we know that these types of programs will give you the skills that you need to continue to move for­ward. “

San Diego County Proba­tion is committed to support­ing youth on their journey to restore their lives, families and communities through this and other programs.

In speaking to the program’s broader goals, Chief Probation officer Tamika Nelson said, “Probation and County Fire de­veloped this program to bring opportunities to young adults where they can learn and de­velop skills, build a connection to the broader community and empower them to use their knowledge to serve their com­munities.”

“This program helps to break down barriers and build diver­sity, equity and inclusion op­portunities for those who have been justice-involved, while also helping to protect our commu­nities from disasters and other emergencies,” she continued.

Participants in the program earn certification in wildland firefighting operations and gain experience in brush clearing, urban landscaping and remov­ing wildfire fuels throughout San Diego County.

At the celebration, County Fire Director Jeff Collins un­derscored the program’s long-term benefits, stating, “Your hard work is why we’re doing this. There is a lot of opportu­nity for you in the fire service or something else, and the life skills gained in the Fuel Crew program are tools you can use throughout your career.”

The Fuel Crew program is based at the East Mesa Juve­nile Detention Center in Otay Mesa, where young people are provided education and valu­able training, creating a path­way towards positive change and a brighter future.

Reprinted courtesy San Diego Of­fice of Communications