Dammeron Valley Fire & Rescue (DVFR) is pleased to announce the certification of three structural firefighters. Fire Captain Lance Cornwall, Firefighter Colby Gisseman, and Firefighter Garret German successfully completed the Utah Fire & Rescue Academy’s (UFRA) Firefighter I and Firefighter II certification programs, ensuring the department meets the 2-In / 2-Out requirements for interior structural firefighting.
The criteria for the Firefighter I and II certifications are established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and are delivered by UFRA to conform with the NFPA standards. Both certifications require extensive classroom and practical training hours, as well as satisfactory performance on respective written examinations and demonstration of proficiency in more than 70 practical skills. These include use of a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), use of fire streams, including water flow from various sizes of hoses and nozzles, and connecting to a fire hydrant for water flow in under three minutes.
In addition to the Firefighter I and II skills and exams, firefighters must also successfully complete Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Awareness and Operations courses to achieve full certification. These courses also include classroom and hands-on training hours, as well as written and practical skills examinations. Thanks to the Diamond Valley Fire Department, our members were able to complete these courses locally.
“Our first priority as a department is to ensure that our members are properly trained and outfitted with essential safety equipment,” stated DVFR Fire Chief Barnes. “The completion of this certification is a significant accomplishment for our members and greatly increases the capabilities of our department. The lives and property of Dammeron Valley are better protected now that Lance, Colby and Garrett are UFRA certified Firefighter IIs.”
Lance Cornwall has lived in Dammeron Valley for more than 15 years and started volunteering for the department shortly after moving to the Valley. He has served as a Wildland Firefighter, Deputy Chief, and now Fire Captain. Captain Cornwall operates his own hay business and concrete business; he jokes that he had to get into the hay business to support his family’s number one passion…horses!
Colby Gisseman moved to Dammeron Valley in 2015 and joined DVFR in 2020 after the Veyo Fire. In addition to completing the Firefighter I and II certifications, Gisseman is also pursuing certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) through DVFR and EMT Utah. You’re most likely to see Firefighter Gisseman, a Utah native from Bountiful, being dragged around the Valley by three large dogs, one of which he promises is not a wolf.
Garret German lives in St. George and became a member of DVFR in 2020 after volunteering with Diamond Valley Fire for a season as a Wildland Firefighter. Originally from Moapa Valley, Nevada, Firefighter German was inspired to join the Fire Service by his father who spent more than 30 years as a firefighter. When he’s not working for a local tree service company, Firefighter German spends his free time snowboarding when there’s snow and skateboarding when there isn’t, as well as working on his truck and spending time with friends.
“The continued progress with our members is truly exciting,” added Barnes. “The time and effort to obtain these certifications and provide this level of service to the Valley is commendable, and we thank these members for their dedication and service.”