Near the end of July, four more dedicated individuals are expected to
graduate from the Hoodland Fire District’s volunteer academy and join the
ranks of the nearly 40 volunteer firefighters serving the district.

Andy Figini, who became the district’s Training Coordinator this year, notes
that this year’s academy was brought up a notch with an adjusted schedule
that allowed for more training. The new program included online classes that
candidates would complete away from the station, allowing them to focus on
drills and hands.

“We’re giving people more opportunity to train and to be proficient in their
skills,” said Figini, a firefighter/paramedic for the district who spent 10 years
as a volunteer with the Gladstone Fire District, adding that the goal was to
spend less time in a classroom watching PowerPoint presentations. “That’s
really how we learn our skills, by going out there and actually using the tools.”

In past years, the district would hold drills every Wednesday, but this year
added a drill every shift, increasing the drill opportunities for members of the
academy fivefold. This year’s academy was also a joint effort with the Molalla
Fire District, featuring the majority of classes at Molalla.

Figini sees the newest additions to the volunteer ranks as solid firefighters
who have made them known to the rest of the district.

“I think that they’re all pretty active, hoping they continue to be active
throughout their career,” he said.