Structural Firefighting
All members of CCFD#3 are provided structural fire training through the Upper Valley Recruit Academy. This academy follows the IFSTA curriculum for firefighter 1, and is conducted at night and on weekends. Upon completion of the academy, which culminates with live burn training, members become probationary firefighters and are allowed to begin working shifts. Fortunately, completion of this academy is not the end of training, but only the beginning.
Training in the fire service is a never ending task, where we strive to both learn new skills and hone our current skills to the point of perfection. Completion of the initial training will evolve into advanced training and training on more advanced apparatus.
Eventually senior members are invited to train and learn how to operate our 110’ aerial ladder truck, as well as perform advanced firefighting techniques employed by what we like to refer to as the “truck company”. As an organization we strive to meet the motto of “Amateurs practice until they get it right, professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.”
Wildland Firefighting
All members will receive training to become certified to Firefighter type 2 as defined by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). Opportunities exist to further this training through our participation in interagency training academies and state mobilizations. We have members ranging from firefighter type 2 all the way up to Type 2 Operations Chief (and almost everything in between!).
Hazardous Materials
Training in hazardous materials is conducted in accordance with the state of Washington and IFSAC training standards. Our members are trained to the awareness and operations levels.
Swiftwater/Technical Rescue
Training is provided in conjunction and cooperation with the Chelan County Sheriff’s dept. We have begun expanding our swiftwater rescue team and now have two advanced swiftwater rescue technicians and 3 SRT 1’s.
Backcountry Rescue
All members interested in backcountry rescue receive training from the Chelan Co. Sheriff’s Office in snowmobile safety and operation, as well as training in backcountry survival and EMS in the backcountry. Our snowmobile/backcountry rescue program began after a heroic effort by our firefighters came up short due to lack of resources to affect a rescue of a snowmobiler suffering from a medical issue. Click Here to read the story.