Training is an on-going focus for PMVFD volunteers. "Our principal objective," says PMVFD Training Capt. Henry Vargas, "is to train all active and probationary members to be safe, proficient firefighters and emergency responders whose skills meet or exceed industry standards. We also train Auxiliary personnel in the skills they need to assist the department in its efforts to provide a professional service to the community."
The PMVFD provides Firefighter I and II training as well as emergency medical response, CPR and defibrillation training. In addition, department officers and firefighters also attend off-mountain training programs in fire officer, rescue systems, vehicle extrication, EMT, driver-operator and administration. Members take these classes at various locations including the Ben Clark Training Center in Riverside, the Regional Training Center at Camp Nimitz in San Diego, Palomar College and the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD.
Firefighters meet to train every other Sunday and every Thursday evening, a total of about 20 hours a month - not counting special off-mountain training.