Eugene Springfield Fire is currently facilitating the department's largest ever recruit Firefighter/Paramedic Academy. A total of 15 Firefighter/Paramedic trainees will successfully complete the program on December 8. Typical academies have included 10 to 12 trainees at most.
Recruits have learned the fundamentals of firefighting and paramedicine over the last 14 weeks. They have participated in live fire burns, simulated medical emergencies, driving simulators, classroom, and practical application of fire theory and modern firefighting techniques. In addition to the certifications they will have earned, they will also have received orientation and been checked off on all Advanced Life Support (ALS) medical protocols and procedures they need to be part of an ambulance crew.