CAL FIRE’s Lassen Modoc Unit welcomed three new Fire Apparatus Engineers to the agency, recent graduates of the CAL FIRE Academy in Ione. The Fire Apparatus Engineer position involves operating fire apparatus and equipment during wildland and structural firefighting operations. The role includes leading a crew, performing maintenance and repairs on vehicles and equipment and conducting fire prevention tasks.
CAL FIRE LMU’s new Fire Apparatus Officers are Nickolas Denny, Steven Eck and Ryan Johnson.
The CAL FIRE Ione Training Center
The Training Center has announced the graduation of Company Officer Academy Class 26-01. As the first leadership cohort of 2026, these graduates successfully completed an intensive curriculum designed to prepare high-performing personnel for critical supervisory and command roles within the Department.
According to CAL FIRE, the Company Officer Academy serves as a cornerstone of CAL FIRE’s professional development pipeline.
During the program at the Ione Training Center, students from across California were evaluated on their ability to manage complex emergency incidents, lead diverse crews and uphold the high administrative and safety standards required of the Company Officer rank.
Training highlights for COA Class 26-01 included:
Tactical Command: Advanced fireground strategy and multi-agency coordination during high-stress simulations.
Personnel Management: Leadership ethics, conflict resolution, and mentoring the next generation of firefighters.
All-Risk Response: Specialized training in technical rescue, hazardous materials, and emergency medical services.
Administrative Oversight: Mastery of departmental policies to ensure operational consistency and safety statewide.
Graduates now return to their respective Units as leaders, equipped with the advanced skills necessary to protect California’s communities and natural resources during the upcoming fire season.
For more information on CAL FIRE’s training programs and career opportunities, please visit fire.ca.gov.
