Twenty-eight new probationary firefighters will be added to Con Fire’s ranks starting this week, joining crews countywide including Fire Station 74 in Pinole, which is reopening March 1 in conjunction with Con Fire’s takeover of fire operations in the city.
On Wednesday, the new crew members graduated from Con Fire’s Firefighter Recruit Academy 58, where they underwent a physically and mentally challenging 20-week course of instruction using the latest firefighting and training techniques.
According to Con Fire, the new firefighters “will bolster ranks as the district prepares to reopen the long-closed Fire Station 74 in Pinole as part of a new contract-for-service arrangement for all fire services in that city to be implemented March 1.”
Other new firefighters will staff a new fire truck company in Antioch that will launch later this spring.
Con Fire says the new crew members will support what is likely to be another challenging wildfire season in 2023.
“These 28 recruits have accomplished much in their 20-week course of instruction, learning from the best along the way,” Fire Chief Lewis Broschard said at Wednesday evening’s graduation ceremony. “They are now well prepared to enter the next phase of their careers, serving the residents of Contra Costa County as Con Fire firefighters.”
Broschard added, “Our personnel are our greatest asset and we are committed to supporting their physical and emotional wellbeing for long and successful careers.”
In addition to structure firefighting techniques, the 28 new firefighters enhanced their knowledge and skills in wildland firefighting, rescue, automobile extrication, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services, and other techniques they can be expected to put to use in their first assignments as probationary firefighters, according to Con Fire.
