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.
Assistant Chief Jim Burdick
Jim is a retired Firefighter/Paramedic from the El Segundo Fire Department in southern California where he worked for thirty years.
Not able to turn off his "rescue personality" in 2006 he became actively involved at the Groveland Fire Department. He takes part in administrative tasks and decisions and also runs calls, even in the middle of the night.
Before retiring in 2003, Jim had a long and interesting career which began in 1973 with firefighting training and in 1976 with paramedic training. He also had ongoing and extensive oil firefighting training because of the Chevron USA Oil and other refineries near El segundo and the greater South Bay City area.
Fire Engineer/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 Engineer/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 Engineer/Paramedic 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.
Firefighter/EMT Drew Collier
Drew received his Firefighter I training in 2005-06 from the Tuolumne County Joint Basic Fire Academy, Sonora City Fire Department, and the Cal Fire Firefighter Academy. In 2007 he finished his EMT training at Columbia College. His immediate goals are to earn his Fire Instructor I and Fire Officer certifications.
Drew joined the Department in 2007. He had previously worked at the Groveland Cal Fire station during the 2005 fire season and the Sonora City Fire Department as Senior Firefighter/ EMT.
Firefighter/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.
Firefighter/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. He excelled in the recent testing and interview process to become the newest member of our full-time staff in March of 2009.
© GFD 2009 Photos by Teri Couey