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Battalion Chief Paul Lepore
Paul Lepore is a Battalion Chief with the City of Long Beach, California, Fire Department. He entered the fire service as a civilian Paramedic for the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. After completing his education at the Los Angeles County Paramedic Training Institute, Lepore worked in the high impact area of South Central, Los Angeles.
Lepore was hired by the Long Beach Fire Department in 1986 and completed their 12-week academy. He spent the next two years working as a firefighter until he was promoted to firefighter/ paramedic. Lepore was promoted to Fire Captain in 1998 and is currently a Battalion Chief.
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Battalion Chief Paul Lepore
Volunteer Firefighters
Over ninety percent of the firefighters in the United States are volunteer firefighters. These men and women live in the community and want to make it a safer place. Frequently the local firehouse is the focal point in the community. The fire engines, and trucks are purchased with donations raised from the community.
Becoming a volunteer firefighter is not only a wonderful way to serve your community, but it is also a great way to see if the fire service is right for you. You will have an opportunity to receive training and ultimately respond to calls for service.
The more skills you bring to the table, the better you will be able to contribute to the overall effectiveness of the team. A basic first aid and CPR course are a must. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training is a 100 hour course that teaches how to perform patient assessments, splint fractures, take vital signs and treat sick people.
Career Firefighters*
The fire service is an excellent career path for people who like a challenging and rewarding career serving the public. While you will never be rich working as a firefighter. Most will tell you that the true benefits are in the camaraderie and job satisfaction. Firefighters are rated as the most trusted occupation in the country. Firefighters develop strong bonds with their coworkers and are respected by children and adults alike.
The salary and benefits allow firefighters to purchase a home and to take care of their family’s medical and financial needs. There are opportunities to promote and become a leader in the fire service. In fact, the promotional track is limited only by one’s initiative to study and perform in the promotional process. The retirement provided by the fire department will allow a comfortable living after a satisfying career.
