Firefighter Bios
Fire Chief Shane Warner
Shane joined the Department in 1994 as a Firefighter. Since then he has held the positions of Fire Engineer/Training Officer, Acting Fire Chief, and for the past three years Fire Chief. Since becoming Chief he has updated procedures and brought the Department into OSHA compliance standards.
Shane is highly qualified having earned an Associate of Science degree in Fire Technology in 1991,Firefighter I in 1989 and Firefighter II in 1994, Driver/ Operation 1A in 1990 and D/O 1B in 1999, Fire Prevention in 1999, Fire Instructor in 1998, Emergency Medical Technician in 1988, Ambulance Driver in 1997, Fire Control III in 1989 and FC IV in 1990. He is a First Aid and CRP Instructor and teaches fire courses at Columbia College. These are only some of the certifications Shane has earned in his firefighting career so it is easy to understand why training is emphasized in the Department.
Before joining the Department Shane was the Volunteer Assistant Fire Chief/Training Officer with Jamestown Volunteer Fire Department, a Volunteer Firefighter/Engineer with the Jamestown Fire Protection District Fire Department, Crew Leader/Shift Officer and Engineer/Apparatus Operator at Columbia College Fire Department.
Fire Captain/EMT Jake Ruhl
Jake began his training as a volunteer when we joined the Department at the end of 1999. He completed his EMT training at Columbia College in 2001 and earned his Firefighter I in 2002. He was hired full-time with the Department in 2003. Before joining the Department Jake worked for the U.S. Forest Service on a hand crew and later on a engine. During that time he earned certifications from the Groveland Ranger District.
In 2002 Jake completed Driver/Operator 1A and 1B training and in 2006 he became acting Engineer. After he completed the testing and interview process in 2007 he was promoted to Fire Engineer. Jake is the Fleet Maintenance Officer and oversees all apparatus and equipment. He continues his education at the annual Fire Mechanics Academy allowing more of the needed maintenance to be done in-house.
Fire Captain/EMT Jon Rock
Jon joined the Department in 2004 as a Firefighter and after testing and interviews was promoted in 2007 to Fire Engineer. He had previously worked as an EMT with Tuolumne County Ambulance and a Fire Engineer with the Tuolumne Fire District.
Jon continues the fire education he began at Columbia College in 1999. He has completed over 60 units including Fire Technology and Emergency Medical Services. Jon is the Department Training Officer who schedules training for full-time and volunteer firefighters who train two evenings each month. He also tracks, records and assigns training to all Groveland Fire personnel who train daily. Jon is registered through the CA State Fire Marshal as a Fire Instructor. He currently coordinates and teaches the Tuolumne County Joint Basic Fire Academy.
Fire Captain/EMT Josh Scheib
Josh graduated from the Emergency Medical Sciences Training Institute in 2005. He has achieved licenses as a Paramedic and Ambulance Driver. He is certified as a Firefighter I & II and a Driver/Operator. He is a CPR instructor and certified by the CA State Fire Marshal as an Extrication Instructor. Josh will continue to attend CA State Fire Marshal classes to expand his knowledge and experience.
Josh was hired as a firefighter but after testing and interview process he was promoted to Engineer in 2008. As Volunteer Coordinator Josh outfits the new firefighters with turnouts, helmets and equipment. He also organizes volunteer events such as the Fill the Boot for Burn Victims, the firefighter's booth at the 49er Festival Chili Cook-off, and the Memorial Day barbecue.
Before joining the GFD in 2005, Josh worked at Mother Lode Medical Center as a Drug Collection Technician, Columbia College Fire Department as a full-time volunteer, and Black Oak Casino as an Emergency Medical Technician and Public Safety Officer.
Fire Engineer/EMT Chris Goodnight
Chris finished Emergency Medical Technician training in 2005 and graduated from the Modesto Fire Academy with a Firefighter 1 in 2006. He is close to completing an Associate Fire Science degree but his goal is to achieve a Bachelor's degree in Fire Management and Engineering.
Chris previously worked for American Medical Response as an EMT and Thornton Fire Protection District near Lodi as a firefighter. He was a volunteer/reserve firefighter with the Department beginning in April 2008, but after competitive testing and interviews, when a position became available, we were glad to have him join the crew full time in September 2008.
Fire Engineer/EMT Joey Hall
Joey graduated from the Columbia College Fire Academy in 2007 and finished his EMT training in 2008. He participated in the Sonora City Firefighter Intern program and worked as a trainee for Ebbetts Pass Fire District. He is currently working towards an Associate Fire Science degree.
Joey has been a reserve firefighter with the Department since August 2008. When we needed another staff firefighter in 2009 Joey excelled in the testing and interview process and became a member of our full-time staff in March of 2009.
Firefighter/EMT Matt Burton
The Groveland Fire Department is proud to welcome Firefighter Matt Burton to our ranks.
Nearly one hundred applicants participated in our 2011 arduous selection and testing process and of those applicants Burton ranked at the very top of the list. We are fortunate to have acquired a firefighter of his caliber.
Success is not new for Burton, whose credentials and achievements display his pursuit of personal excellence. While earning his Associate Degree in Fire Technology, he received the top academic honor for exceptional achievement from the Columbia College Fire Academy. As a student instructor at the academy, his leadership skills became easily apparent and he has been asked to assist in future fire academies. His experience as an intern firefighter in Sonora and then as a relief engineer in the Sonora City Fire Department has prepared him well for his role in our department.
His training and certifications include: Class B Driver’s license, Firefighter I and II training, and Emergency Medical Technician; CA State Fire Marshal’s certifications: Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator 1A and 1B, Low Angle Rope Rescue Operational, Auto Extrication, Confined Space Rescue Awareness, and CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers. He is currently taking additional classes working towards his Bachelor Degree in Fire Management.
Burton’s first shift with the Groveland Fire Department was on November 4, 2011 and we are glad to welcome him as a full-time firefighter.
© GFD 2009 Photos by Teri Couey