SLTFD to train citizen volunteers
The South Lake Tahoe Fire Department is launching a program called STAT – South Tahoe Action Teams.
This program is designed to incorporate trained citizens in the field with the department and other first responders during times of crisis.
Classes will be taught in the fire stations and run approximately two hours per class. Four STAT training sessions will be conducted throughout the year.
The inaugural class will be begin Jan. 15 and run through Feb. 5. Classes will be every Thursday night from 6-8 in the Fire Department Training Center at 1100 Al Tahoe Blvd.
Curriculum will include eight hours of instruction taught by members of the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department. Applicants will be expected to commit their time and will be called upon in times of natural disaster, large scale emergencies and times of need in the South Lake Tahoe area. Due to staffing and equipment limitations the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department will be reliant on local citizens’ abilities to assist in their neighborhoods with basic first aid and triage.
If interested, contact Capt. Jim Drennan at 530.542.6161 or via email at jdrennan@cityofslt.us
More information is available online.
STAT Program Information and Application
Why is it that I don’t feel very comfortable about another citizens group of wanna be firemen out there, power hungry to order and push other citizens around?
I think I can trust the fire chief’s support of the program which I hope will attract local residents who approach it with the right attitude.
I’m delighted to hear the Fire Department is working to put this program in place. It has nothing to do with regulatory authority. Instead, it seeks to identify and train citizens to help their neighbors in the event of an emergency.
Several communities in the Bay Area have similar programs. One I am familiar with is CERT – Citizens Emergency Response Team. Members of the team receive excellent training on emergency preparedness, they know the people within their neighborhood who may be elderly or need assistance with evacuation and can aid their neighbors in an emergency, such as wildfire or earthquake. And yes, we are in an earthquake zone.
In addition, they can help educate their neighbors in how to be ready for an emergency, such as having food and water on hand, evacuation routes, and what to take in an emergency evacuation situation. Most think of family photos and items with sentimental value, but forget about things like medication, insurance information and so forth.
Programs like this foster a sense of community and help people get to know each other in a meaningful way, while aiding emergency responders who are often overwhelmed in large-scale emergency situations. Just think about the Angora fire. Emergency responders can’t be everywhere!
Kudos to the Fire Dept. for considering this program.