Pathways For Kids- San Francisco Fire Department, March 22nd 2010

The Pathways for Kids field trip to the San Francisco Fire Dept. was held on March 22. We were pleased to have Dick Berman our board president join us for this event. The students were greeted by Assistant Deputy Chief Brenden O'Leary, Shon Buford and Mindy Talmage at the 2nd Street San Francisco Fire Department building.. Each sponsor described their positions with the department and the educational and training required to be eligible for their assignments

The students were escorted to Operations Systems Control. The communication process included the use the Mayor's red emergency telephone, satellite phone, Coast Guard telephone and radio systems.

Chief Joanne Hayes-White joined the session. She discussed her educational background and personal struggles which lead to the position she holds today. The San Francisco Fire Department has 42 stations. The first woman joined the fire department in 1987. Currently, there are 250 women in uniform or about 15 % of the employees. .

The qualifications needed for hiring: High School Diploma or above and an EMT-Emergency Medical Technician certificate

Positions within the fire department: Fire fighters (starting positions); medical; substance (ie. hazardous materials); scrubs certification and arson investigation.

The students then went to Station #8 on Bluxome Street where they were met by Chief Crane who described the emergency rescue kit, the emergency rescue van and the Thurmo Imaging Camera.
Students were encouraged to participate in questions and answers sessions at the end of each presentation.
Thanks to Shon, Mindy and the many SFFD staff members for supporting Pathways.