On October 17, EMS Coordinator Jeanne McFarland, and Firefighter Paramedic Ricky Tlapala represented Escondido Fire at San Pasqual High School’s College and Career Fair. With over 2,200 students and many parents in attendance, our booth was very popular for those interested in learning about a fire service career. Students were able to try on protective gear and hear about what it takes to be a Firefighter in Escondido.
Also, on October 17, Escondido firefighters provided a demonstration of a new set of battery-powered extrication tools that were provided to EFD thanks to a grant application by the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation and $34,653 in funding through County Supervisor Jim Desmond’s office. Supervisor Jim Desmond, Escondido Mayor Paul McNamara, San Diego Regional Fire Foundation’s Executive Director Joan Jones, and Board Chairman Frank Ault were on hand to see our firefighters cut apart a wrecked car with the new equipment. After the demonstration, Supervisor Desmond and Mayor McNamara donned protective gear and tried their hand at using the new cutting tool to cut through pillars on the car so that the roof could be removed to provide easy access to the area where victims would be trapped. We truly appreciate Supervisor Desmond and the San Diego Regional Fire Foundation’s assistance in purchasing the lifesaving equipment.
On October 18, the crew at Fire Station #1 (S. Quince Street) prepared and hosted a firehouse BBQ lunch for a group of Escondido City Water and Waste Water employees. Over the last several months, these employees provided the expertise and the labor to completely rebuild and overhaul the training facility main water pump, motor and computer controller as well as the system’s water purification device. The rebuild was very complex and a great example of the collaborative efforts between City departments. The lunch was our way to thank our city partners for all of their hard work in getting this project completed. (
On October 22, Firefighter Paramedic Ricky Tlapala represented Escondido Fire Department at the Firefighter Career Expo 2022 in South El Monte, CA. Expo participants had the opportunity to meet with fire department recruiters, try out the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), take an up-close look at fire apparatus and learn more about a typical “day in the life” of a Firefighter.
