The Oceanside Fire Department’s Training Division is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of all training for suppression personnel. Its goal is to enhance the quality of Oceanside’s firefighters and ensure that the department is prepared for the modern emergencies of today.Oceanside Fire Department Training.
Starting with the basic fire academy, firefighters are indoctrinated with the operating procedures of the Oceanside Fire Department, preparing them to work as integral members of the OFD team after graduation.
As they move up in both grade and rank, the training division coordinates, implements and monitors all testing.
Along with fire prevention, fire training is also responsible for community and public relations, disaster preparedness, and homeland security. The OFD website is maintained and updated by the training division.
The division also maintains all training manuals, materials and records. Fire Training is located at the former City Water Yard at 110 Jones Road.
The Oceanside Fire Training Facility includes:
- The Training Division Chief
- Training Division Staff & Offices (A Captain/ATO, a civilian/ATO, and a secretary)
- A training tower equipped with standpipe
- A confined space prop
- Classrooms
- A flashover simulator
- A tool & hose repair shop
Fire Academy
Every year or two the Oceanside Fire Department completes a basic recruit fire academy. Academy’s typically span over a 12-week period, and they usually consist of 12-20 recruits.
Fire AcademyDuring a fire academy the training division is augmented with two additional Captains and an on-shift training cadre of nine officers and firefighters. Working in three shifts, the cadre is divided into hose, ladders, and ventilation divisions, encompassing the basic essentials of structural firefighting. With an emphasis on drill ground activities the Oceanside Fire Academy is considered one of the most challenging and rigorous in existence.
As a result, the Oceanside Fire Academy has earned the reputation of producing the most driven, focused and well-trained firefighters. This has resulted in a prideful organization with a commitment to excellence.
The main focus is to expose recruits to the most modern firefighting equipment and techniques, in addition to preparing them to be a self-motivated, integral part of the OFD team upon graduation from the academy.
Oceanside fire recruits are also put through a rigorous EMS academy. Hundreds of hours of training, evaluation and testing are done before they are cleared to work independently in the field.
For more information on career opportunites at the Oceanside Fire Department click here.
