Dozens apply for fire department jobs

BY Dawn Rankins

More than 80 individuals have applied for the five different professional positions the City of Canyon Lake is looking to fill to staff its upcoming fire department, according to Interim Fire Chief Jeff LaTendresse. The applications of those who applied will be evaluated and a few will be selected for interviews, he said.

In addition to the permanent fire chief, for which Jeff had previously said he was applying, the positions on the new fire department are for the firefighters and their leaders.

Openings and the corresponding annual salary ranges that were advertised are for one battalion chief ($83,200 – $101,129), three fire captains ($66,946.88 – $81,361.28), three fire engineers ($60,860.80 – $73,964.80), three firefighter/paramedics ($55,328.00 – $67,238.08) and 15 to 20 reserve firefighters (volunteers with stipends).

The applications that were received are under administrative review. After top candidates are chosen, they will be required to take a written test as well as an oral interview with three fire professionals.

Once the interviews are completed and the top applicants from that group are selected, then a conditional employment offer will be made to each of them. To be hired, the individuals will need to pass medical and physical evaluations as well as background checks.

Once all are hired, the fire department will begin to take shape. Training will commence with a mini-academy. The hired staff will prepare the station for its Jan. 1 launch.

Much has already been accomplished in establishing the City of Canyon Lake Fire Department and with personnel hired, the formation of the department is inching closer to reality.

The City of Canyon Lake has purchased this Fire Engine for its new City Fire Department and will put it into service when the department goes into effect Jan. 1. The Fire Engine is currently being built and when completed will be housed in the Fire Station on Vacation Drive. Photo provided by Jeff LaTendresse.

Jeff, who came out of retirement to take the lead reigns in creating the fire department, said he is excited to be a part of the development of the new department.

The fire station that already exists in Canyon Lake on Vacation Drive will belong to the city, instead of being contracted out.

The City of Canyon Lake will own the fire engine and equipment that are already in place. Additionally, the city has purchased a new engine and two command vehicles that are currently being built for the new department.

The department will have 12 total employees with approximately 15 to 20 reserve personnel. The department will run 48-hour shifts with 96 hours off, which will include three different time shifts. The station, currently under contract with CalFire, receives two-to-three calls per day, which are usually medical related. Jeff said he has been happily surprised there aren’t too many boating calls.

Much more has taken place in just a few months since Jeff has been on board than making the arrangements for the fire station, vehicles and now hiring. The chief, along with other city leaders and staff, have worked together to create a budget, which was approved in July.

With that all-important budget in place, funds have been made available for purchasing, in addition to the expensive vehicles, new equipment, such as radios and a turnout washer and dryer.

Creating policy manuals was one of Jeff’s biggest tasks. These 200 to 300 pages of policies and procedures specific to the Canyon Lake department were written while adhering to complex policy required by the state and federal government.

The new department intends to have programs put into place such as water safety and a babysitters safety program.

“This will be a small department and everyone who is a part of it will need to work together to make it work and to make it successful,” Jeff said. “The fire department will now be doing fire inspections throughout the community and will be doing plan checks for new builds and remodels to make sure safety is a priority and to keep the residents safe.”

Jeff, who moved to Canyon Lake two months ago, said being a part of the creation of the City of Canyon Lake Fire Department has been a great opportunity and one that he is thankful to be a part of. When he retired from Laguna Beach Fire, he said he missed his life as a firefighter.

“Being a firefighter isn’t just a job, it’s a way of life,” he said. “To be a part of creating an entire new department is something I’m enjoying and am thankful for.”

Tyler Ferrari, management analyst with the City of Canyon Lake, said the goal of the city and the fire chief is teamwork.

“My role is to assist where the chief needs it,” Tyler said. “One reason the city voted to have its own in-house fire department was before it did not have the ability to control costs or negotiate costs, for that matter.”

With only four months before the city takes over the fire and medical emergency responsibilities for the citizens of Canyon Lake, the department leaders are excited and have goals in place.

“It is the intention of Canyon Lake Fire to be a part of the community and not just a fixture,” Jeff said. “You will see the department out at most all events in some form.”