All training is handled jointly by the Fire Chief and Battalion Chief. All fire department personnel must keep their certifications valid and their skills proficient. The public in general often does not realize the amount of training received by their local fire department in order to be able and respond to and manage emergencies.
So that the public has an idea of the wide range of training and skills necessary we have included the following list of the certifications and skills that different members of the Somerton Cocopah Fire Department have; this list is not all-inclusive:
- Firefighter I, Firefighter II
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic
- Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course
- Emergency Vehicle Operator Instructor/Evaluator
- Hazardous Materials Awareness
- Hazardous Materials Operations
- Hazardous Materials Technician
- Fire Instructor I, Fire Instructor II, Fire Instructor III
- Fire Instructor Evaluator
- Fire Officer I, Fire Officer II, Fire Officer III
- Fire Inspector I, Fire Inspector II, Fire Inspector III
As can be seen, in order to provide services to every sort of emergency and non-emergency our personnel must maintain a rigorous training program. This includes yearly proficiencies in all manual skills and recertification through continuing education for our emergency medical technicians and paramedics.