This study was concerned with the evolution of the California fire service education and training system. Using the documentary research method, the study was based on an analysis of information obtained from official records; minutes of meetings; newspapers, newsletters, and official publications; correspondence; and eyewitness accounts.
The concept of an American fire-training program began in the early 1920′s as an effort of Chief Engineer Ralph Scott of the Los Angeles City Fire Department. His work was based on training programs from American metropolitan and suburban departments, which were in turn influenced to some degree by the European fire services.
Today, the California fire service education and training system is a complicated array of various delivery components that continue to evolve along both academic and vocational lines. This evolution into various components has created a difficult and often confused career development pathway for fire service personnel.
Ronny J. Coleman, The Evolution of California Fire Service Training and Education, (May 1994), A Thesis presented to the Department of Occupational Studies, California State University, Long Beach
