Careers
Who is Graton Fire?
Our department responds to approximately 900 calls annually throughout Graton, Northern Sebastopol, and Western Santa Rosa. Our community covers 8,800 residents and 27 square miles that range from suburban to rural with a significant wildland urban interface (WUI). We enjoy a strong training and working relationship with our neighboring fire agencies.
Since 2020, we staff a career captain, a career engineer, and up to two volunteer firefighters daily. We are blessed with a strong group of 20-25 committed volunteers and average 8 years of service. The majority of our firefighters are also EMTs.
Our firefighters are well trained and given the autonomy to do their jobs. Scheduling, shift trades, sick calls, vacation requests, and daily task priorities are managed within the career team. The team drives policy and operational changes to constantly improve the department, such as designing the newest Type I engine. Professional education is encouraged for personal growth to promote and attain leadership roles during strike teams, upstaffing, and special events. The on-coming crew voluntarily joins the off-going crew for breakfast; this provides a chance to debrief and pass-down any pending needs.
We offer a number of specialty rescue programs. Most of our firefighters are swift water rescue technicians and we meet the state Type II team specifications. Our large animal rescue team is responsible for all of Western Sonoma County. We are an authorized BLS provider operating to the full set of EMT expanded scope skills and optional draw-epinephrine kits. Our rescue carries a full complement of high/low angle rope rescue and extrication tools.
The fire station was built in 2011 and provides an excellent living environment. Each on-duty person has his/her own bedroom. There is a well-equipped gym. Our front-line equipment is less than 15 years old (2023 Type I [due in March], 2019 Water Tender, 2019 Type III, 2015 Rescue, and 2010 Type III).
Our district is financially stable with no unfunded pension liability and $1.8M in cash reserves (roughly 75% of our annual expenses). We have never used reserves to cover our $2.5M operating expenses and pay cash for our new engines through this fund.
If the March 2024 sales tax measure passes, we will hire 3 career firefighters (while maintaining our volunteer shifts) and offer raises to existing staff to provide pay parity across most of the county.
Our department responds to approximately 900 calls annually throughout Graton, Northern Sebastopol, and Western Santa Rosa. Our community covers 8,800 residents and 27 square miles that range from suburban to rural with a significant wildland urban interface (WUI). We enjoy a strong training and working relationship with our neighboring fire agencies.
Since 2020, we staff a career captain, a career engineer, and up to two volunteer firefighters daily. We are blessed with a strong group of 20-25 committed volunteers and average 8 years of service. The majority of our firefighters are also EMTs.
Our firefighters are well trained and given the autonomy to do their jobs. Scheduling, shift trades, sick calls, vacation requests, and daily task priorities are managed within the career team. The team drives policy and operational changes to constantly improve the department, such as designing the newest Type I engine. Professional education is encouraged for personal growth to promote and attain leadership roles during strike teams, upstaffing, and special events. The on-coming crew voluntarily joins the off-going crew for breakfast; this provides a chance to debrief and pass-down any pending needs.
We offer a number of specialty rescue programs. Most of our firefighters are swift water rescue technicians and we meet the state Type II team specifications. Our large animal rescue team is responsible for all of Western Sonoma County. We are an authorized BLS provider operating to the full set of EMT expanded scope skills and optional draw-epinephrine kits. Our rescue carries a full complement of high/low angle rope rescue and extrication tools.
The fire station was built in 2011 and provides an excellent living environment. Each on-duty person has his/her own bedroom. There is a well-equipped gym. Our front-line equipment is less than 15 years old (2023 Type I [due in March], 2019 Water Tender, 2019 Type III, 2015 Rescue, and 2010 Type III).
Our district is financially stable with no unfunded pension liability and $1.8M in cash reserves (roughly 75% of our annual expenses). We have never used reserves to cover our $2.5M operating expenses and pay cash for our new engines through this fund.
If the March 2024 sales tax measure passes, we will hire 3 career firefighters (while maintaining our volunteer shifts) and offer raises to existing staff to provide pay parity across most of the county.
There are no external hires at this time.
Graton Fire Protection District is an equal opportunity employer.