Training Never Stops 🔥

The past few months we have been working on many different aspects of scenario based trainings. A big thank you to the Volunteer Liaison Committee for bringing the past few months’ together and hosting this week’s training.

This week’s focus: Live Fire Training, VEIS (Vent, Enter, Isolate, Search), and sharpening the skills that matter when seconds count.

There’s no substitute for realistic, high-stress training. Getting repositions under live fire conditions pushes decision making, reinforces muscle memory, and builds the confidence needed to perform when it counts.

VEIS continues to be a critical tactic—giving us the ability to quickly locate and isolate potential victims while controlling the environment. It’s fast, deliberate, and demands precision.

Every evolution, every repetition, every critique is part of the bigger picture: being better for the community we serve and each other. Several members of Grand Fire Protection District No. 1 participated, helping to strengthen mutual aid bonds.

We don’t rise to the occasion—we fall back on our training. So we will continue to train hard.

#eastgrandfire #GrandFire #somebodycall911

Our 2026 East Grand Fire Annual Appreciation Dinner and Awards Banquet! This is an especially important night to recognize and celebrate all the hard work our firefighters put in throughout 2025. It was a huge year for East Grand Fire but no surprise since we have some truly wonderful people. Major highlights include ranking promotions, certifications acquired, and length of service milestones! Please help us congratulate everyone listed below!

Promotions:
Banning Starr - Captain
Ryan Mowrey - Captain
Ricardo Loza - Lieutenant
Ethan Howard - Engineer

Length of Service:
Dennis Soles - 35 Years
John Krueger - 20 Years
Emmanuel Janisch - 10 Years
Quinn Leverenz - 10 Years
Clinton Iacovetto - 10 Years
Garret Sullivan - 10 Years
Ricardo Loza - 5 Years
Mark Spiewak - 5 Years
Mark Purcell - 3 Years
Christopher Bernbrock - 1 Year
Ethan Howard - 1 Year
William Coors - 1 Year

Certifications:
Ryan Mowrey - Fire Officer 1, NWCG Engine Boss and FAL3
Ricardo Loza - Fire Officer 1, NWCG FFT1 Emanuel Janisch - NWCG Engine Boss and FAL2
Ethan Howard - Firefighter 2, Driver Operator Utility, and NWCG FAL3
Christopher Cheevers - Firefighter 2
Ehren Samuelson - NWCG FAL2
Banning Starr - NWCG FAL2
Garret Sullivan - NWCG FAL2
Michael Cravens - NWCG FAL3

Most Calls
Christopher Bernbrock

Most Shifts
Mark Purcell

Most Training Hours
Bayard McCue-Fraizer

A special recognition to the unsung heroes of East Grand Fire: the families who support our firefighters.

And lastly, a HUGE shoutout to all our Volunteers who made 100% of their requirements for 2025.

Thank you everyone for your hard work and congratulations!