Firefighter Rehab Training

CAL FIRE Truck Academy Advances Training, Safety, and Firefighter Rehab

By Etienne Vick

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Station 17 recently conducted a weeklong Truck Academy during the last week of April 2026, bringing together firefighters from various cities for intensive, hands-on training designed to sharpen critical emergency response skills. The academy is a key component of CAL FIRE’s seasonal training efforts, preparing crews for the increasing demands of California’s wildfire and all-risk emergency landscape.

The Truck Academy focuses on structural firefighting and specialized truck company operations. Participants train in essential techniques such as ventilation, search and rescue, forcible entry, and technical rescue. These skills are vital not only during wildfires, but also during structure fires, rescues, and other complex emergency incidents where precision, coordination, and speed are critical.

A key component of the academy was firefighter rehabilitation (rehab) training, focused on managing fatigue, dehydration, and heat stress in accordance with NFPA 1584 standards. Training emphasized hydration, vital sign monitoring, cooling or warming measures, gear decontamination, and nutritional support—ensuring firefighters can safely return to duty or be relieved when necessary, reducing injury risk during prolonged incidents.

Supporting the academy behind the scenes, members of the Highlands CERT Team provided rest areas, food, and beverages throughout the week. While firefighters trained across the CAL FIRE campus, CERT volunteers helped keep crews rested, fueled, and hydrated during long, physically demanding days, allowing them to stay focused on skill development and readiness. Their adaptability highlights the essential role CERT plays in emergency operations and community resilience.

As wildfire seasons grow longer and more intense, CAL FIRE’s partnership with CERT and the broader community remains vital to strengthening emergency preparedness, firefighter safety, and effective response when California needs it most.

The Highlands CERT Team wishes to thank all the Highlands neighbors who donated their camping chairs for use during the event. Diana Shu was able to secure about 20 chairs from our neighborhood which came in very handy during the rest times for the firefighters. A huge Thank You to All!