The sun glinted off of the fire apparatus that had been pulled out of the Felton Fire Protection District’s station. On Sunday, teams of volunteer firefighters were outside and inside the station’s bay, helping to usher and spot participants through a series of practical events such as a dummy drag, ladder climb and cardio exercises.
No, it wasn’t an academy or an internship. This was Felton Fire’s Firefighter Interest Event: an inside look at the practical agility test that applicants must pass in order to be considered for an opportunity to don the department’s turnouts as a volunteer firefighter. The test is normally 7 minutes and 30 seconds: 3 ½ minutes of cardio, and 4 minutes of fire tasks.
“If they exceeded that time today, they were allowed to continue until they finished, but that won’t be the case during the actual test,” said Felton Fire Capt. and Hiring Coordinator Renee Fenker.
Eleven individuals attended the event, including a few who are currently in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) roles with the department, and are looking to become firefighters.
“We had a couple of referrals, and a couple of brand new faces who attended. The goal for today was to see where the interested people are in terms of their physical abilities,” said Fenker, who has been with the department nearly eight years. “We were here to answer questions about serving the department, working in a small community like Felton, and get to know them. It’s a way for us to open up the interest in the community.”
What are Fenker and the department searching for when it comes to strong candidates?
“We’re looking for individuals with high integrity, who are looking to show up in their community in a different way, are committed to doing things that are difficult, are interested in helping others on their worst day and eager to do something different and be a part of something bigger,” Fenker said.
That’s exactly what Allison Naylor, Hailie Eackles and Evan Crocker are looking to do. All three are currently EMTs with the department, and they all want to move into the firefighter role.
“I’ve been looking to get my foot in the door with fire for the last few years,” says Eackles, 28, from Santa Clara. “It’s a lengthy process. When Felton Fire announced they were opening up their EMT position, I thought it would be a great way for me to apply my EMT certification and get that experience. I’m getting to know the station and the people here, and hoping to get an application in and continue to be part of this department. This is a great opportunity, and the department is very thorough and professional. If you’re looking to get trained well, this is a great place to be.”
Crocker, 22, was going to school to earn an engineering degree and realized that he wouldn’t be helping anyone else if he stayed on that track.
“I reevaluated things, and started taking some fire technician courses. I really enjoyed them, and it sparked my interest,” he said. “I took my EMT class because I thought it would be a great opportunity to get my foot in the door, and get to know the station and the fire service as a whole.”
Currently living on the eastside of Santa Cruz, Crocker has family in Felton, and has been coming to the Valley for as long as he can remember.
“I really appreciate the area and the people,” he said.
Crocker said knows he doesn’t have an easy road ahead of him.
“Joining the fire service is a long journey, and it’s important to put the time in, get all the training that’s available and network with as many people as possible,” he said.
Naylor, 25, of Monterey, was previously a teacher but said that she had always been interested in the role of a first responder.
“I had been a teacher up until Covid hit, and after that, I decided to pursue a different career,” Naylor said. “I’ve been coming around the station, and everyone here is really friendly and helpful. They’ve offered to work out with me, and answer all my questions. I’ve felt really welcome here, and I ended up getting my EMT certification so I could volunteer with them. I’ve enjoyed that, and want to continue with the department as a firefighter.”
This event, Naylor says, was about giving potential candidates access to resources.
“They really want to see us succeed,” she said. “Everyone here works hard and trains hard, and they care a lot about being able to help others in the community, and that is the most important thing.”
In order to be a firefighter with Felton Fire, Fenker says, a person must be 18 by Jan. 1, 2022. But those that are 17 now can go through the physical agility test. The department’s application portal is open until Aug. 31, and Fenker says they are accepting firefighter cadet and firefighter lateral applications.
“Once the application process closes, we’ll schedule the physical agility tests. If the candidate passes that, as well as background screens and referral checks, we’ll begin panel interviews with current members,” she said. “The entire hiring process takes about 90 days.”
The Fire Academy (held jointly with other San Lorenzo Valley departments and Cal Fire) begins in January and takes about five months to complete. Felton Fire requires completion of the academy followed by a one year probationary period.
Applications for the Felton Fire Protection District are being accepted thru Aug. 30 at feltonfire.com/joinus/
