Operations & Training Division
The Operations and Training Division is committed ensuring excellence in emergency response and preparedness by providing comprehensive training, education, and professional development to fire service personnel who are necessary to ensure a competent, efficient and effective emergency response organization.
Bill Dennstaedt
Deputy Chief Operations
Ryan Power
Division Chief Fire Training
Ryan Baldwin
Training Captain
Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medical Calls now make up the majority of incidents Spokane County Fire District 3 responds to. To ensure our community receives the best possible care, our firefighters are given the opportunity to complete Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training.
This comprehensive course equips our firefighters with essential skills, from accurately measuring blood pressure to understanding complex systems like the cardiovascular system.
Every day, our Firefighter EMTs and Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) put this training into action. Whether responding to a motor vehicle collision, assisting someone experiencing a severe allergic reaction, or addressing other medical emergencies, these critical skills save lives.
Our commitment to top-tier medical training underscores our dedication to protecting the health and safety of every citizen in our community.
Structural Firefighting
Structural firefighting is a cornerstone of Spokane County Fire District 3's operations. To prepare for the challenges of this demanding work, our members undergo extensive training during their first year, with a focus on structural firefighting each fall.
This intensive training phase covers crucial topics such as firefighter safety, effective radio communications, fire behavior, building construction, and much more. Training is designed to blend classroom learning with hands-on experience on the fireground, giving members the chance to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.
By the end of this program, each firefighter is equipped with the skills and confidence needed to protect our community effectively and safely.
This version improves readability by streamlining phrases and adding active, confident language. It also highlights the purpose and benefits of the training, connecting the firefighters' work back to the community they serve.
Technical Rescue
Spokane County Fire District 3 is proud to be an "All Hazards" department, prepared to respond to a wide range of emergencies. Central to this mission is our highly skilled Technical Rescue Team, trained to handle complex and high-risk scenarios.
This expert team specializes in confined space rescue, low-angle and high-angle rope rescue, cell tower rescue, ice rescue, and water rescue. Each of these disciplines requires extensive training, combining classroom instruction with rigorous hands-on practice to ensure every member can perform these life-saving techniques safely and effectively.
When called to action, the team quickly assesses the situation by responding directly to the scene in their personal vehicles. Meanwhile, the specialized equipment needed for the operation is transported from Station 31 in Cheney, the heart of our district.
Through dedication and advanced training, our Technical Rescue Team exemplifies our commitment to serving the community, no matter the challenge.
Wildland Firefighting
In recent years, wildland fires have increasingly dominated the headlines—not just in Washington State but across the nation. These fires are notorious for their rapid spread and unpredictable behavior, posing significant challenges to firefighters and communities alike.
At Spokane County Fire District 3, wildland fire training is a critical component of our recruit program. While it’s the shortest phase of training, it provides each firefighter with a strong foundation in the basics of wildland firefighting. This foundation is continually built upon through ongoing learning and hands-on experience, just like other phases of their training.
With a substantial portion of our district consisting of rural timberland and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)—areas where natural landscapes transition into urban developments—this training is essential to protecting our community from the growing threat of wildfires.