Firefighters at a minor vegetation fire last Saturday in Orinda near Valley View Drive
and Don Gabriel Way Photo submitted by Jim Boucher
Four newly-hired firefighters were introduced to the Board of Directors at the July 15 Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) Board meeting. Daniel Elbanna, M. Evan Edminster and Jacob Airola were in attendance at the meeting. The fourth, Steven Gehling, was out of town but was included in the introduction by Battalion Chief Darrell Lee.
The four graduated from the XAL Fire Academy in San Leandro and will be replacing recently retired MOFD firefighters. Lee said that the Academy work included physical training, education and practical experience.
"It was an intensive 18 weeks of running, pulling hose, ladders, ropes and learning about hazardous materials, helicopter operations and multi-casuality care," said Lee. "This group also focused on Wildland fires, structure fires, car fires and cargo container fires, along with team work exercises and emphasizing the importance of providing customer service to the community."
Lee said that each probationary firefighter-paramedic will start their tours in Orinda on the ambulance or fire engine and that their assignment could be for the next six to 12 months.
During their probationary time at MOFD, Lee said the four will continue their training. "They will have continual education in the history of the area, street knowledge, mutual threat zones for Wildland, and deliver the advanced pre-hospital care to the sick and injured," He said.
The new firefighters come to MOFD with a variety of experience. Airola, received his paramedic license from UCLA. Daniel Freeman did his EMT at Santa Barbara City College, served for two years as an Emergency Medical Technician for University of California, Santa Barbara Rescue and worked this last year for American Medical Response ambulance service in Contra Costa County before joining MOFD.
Edminster has served as an ER nurse, a CalStar Flight Nurse, as well as a Flight Medic and a Flight Nurse for the United States Air Force. He was also part of the first wave deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Gehling, the son of a Contra Costa Fire Captain, holds a degree in Fire Science and gained experience as a volunteer Firefighter-Paramedic in the River-Delta Fire Department and the Cordelia Fire Department as well as serving as a paramedic for Medic Ambulance in Solano County for two years.
A UC Davis graduate with a degree in Exercise Biology, Elbanna's firefighting experience is closer to home, serving as a MOFD Reserve firefighter, including Lead Reserve, for the past year before being hired and attending the Fire Academy.
"We are very proud to have them as part of our team to provide the next generation of firefighters and a long standing tradition of duty, honor and family," said Lee.
The new recruits have already put their training to use. Lee advised that the day after the introductions, several of the new firefighters responded to a Wildland fire near Highway 24.
MOFD to Hold Annual Fill The Boot Campaign
The Union representing the Moraga-Orinda Fire District (MOFD) will host its annual "Fill The Boot" campaign to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association July 27 and July 29 at the corner of Brookwood and Moraga Way in Orinda.
Vince Wells, of Firefighters Union 1230, said that members of the MOFD will be at the intersection from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with boots in hand to collect donations from the community. L.Amaral
The four graduated from the XAL Fire Academy in San Leandro and will be replacing recently retired MOFD firefighters. Lee said that the Academy work included physical training, education and practical experience. 
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA