OCEANSIDE — A unique program through the Oceanside Fire Department is giving military personnel a chance to learn the skills needed to become emergency medical technicians (EMTs) before transitioning back to civilian life.
The Oceanside Fire Department is currently the only fire department on the West Coast participating in the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program, a national initiative that provides service members with civilian work experience during the final four to six months of their military service.
Through this program, service members engage in job training, internships and apprenticeships.
The program, which began earlier this year, is seen as a mutual benefit for both the city and military personnel. The department gains extra manpower for responding to emergencies, while the service members gain valuable experience to help transition back into civilian life and launch careers as firefighters and paramedics.
“The awesome thing for us is, one, we’re giving back to the military, but we’re providing people with an opportunity to pursue their career and exposing them to what the fire service is,” said Fire Capt. Hayden Harshman, who oversees the program.
Although the military compensates the interns, the city provides them with hands-on experience in the field. Currently, three interns are participating in the program in Oceanside, each pursuing a future career as a firefighter or paramedic.
“It’s a win-win situation,” said Fire Chief David Parsons.
Chase Grotem, who will complete his 11-year service in the Marine Corps this November, began the four-month internship in July. He describes the SkillBridge Program as a “perfect fit.”
“Coming from a dynamic environment like the military and Marine Corps, this is something I thrive off of,” Grotem said. “This is exactly what I want to be doing, and at the same time, I’m helping the community that I’m trying to live in.”
Grotem moved to Oceanside from Seattle after joining the Marines and hopes to stay after his transition to civilian life.
Isaiah Libunao, a five-year Navy veteran, started his six-month internship in late July and will finish early next year. Like Grotem, his experience with the fire department has solidified his goal of becoming a firefighter. Libunao, a native of San Diego, has already been accepted into the Miramar Fire Academy and plans to stay in the region.
“This is like the perfect transition,” Libunao said of the SkillBridge program.
Parsons and Harshman have both praised the interns’ learning and adaptability, saying they see promising futures for them in firefighting and paramedics.
As Oceanside continues to grow, the fire department sees a rising need for resources, including personnel, to handle emergencies. Fire department leaders hope the SkillBridge Program will attract more military personnel, and they encourage local civilians interested in firefighting and paramedics to apply for Oceanside’s EMT Program as well.
Parsons noted that the EMT Program, which was paused for several years, was revived using Measure X funds. These funds also provided the spare ambulance used by the SkillBridge interns. Measure X, a half-cent sales tax, is up for a 10-year extension on the November ballot.
Those interested in joining either the SkillBridge or EMT Program must first obtain their EMT and CPR certifications, which can take as little as one to three months. Grotem earned his certification through a part-time summer course at MiraCosta College.
While the fire department is the only city department currently hosting a SkillBridge program, Parsons hinted that other departments, such as police or water works, could implement their own SkillBridge programs in the future.
