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​The History of
​California State Fire Training

This section covers the history of California State Fire Training from the early 1900's, to the beginnings of the formal department in the State Department of Education, to it's current home within the State Fire Marshal's Office in CAL FIRE. Our leader in reviewing the history is Chief Ronny J. Coleman, an honorary member of the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association. Chief Coleman wrote his Master's Degree Thesis on "The Evolution of California Fire Service Training and Education" in partial fulfillment of his program at California State Long Beach in May of 1994. This is posted in entirety below for your review.

Our history will eventually include biographies of some of the early, key leaders in developing State Fire Training, such as Chief Thomas Ward and State Fire Training's Ed Bent. An introductory video on Chief Thomas Ward is posted below.
State Fire Training Staff, unknown date (l-r) left to right, Tom Ward, Carl Kistle, Ed Bent, Dick Nevins(?), Harvey Gruber, William Reed (?), Ward Ensley, Robert Lewis, and Ward Cockerton.
Other than Chief Thomas Ward, pictured in the back row with the checkered shirt, we do not know the names of anyone else pictured here - please help if you do.
(l-r) Chief Bill Lellis, Larkspur FD retired; Ed Bent, State Fire Training, retired; Chief Bob Marcucci, San Rafael FD retired; Chief Ronny J. Coleman, California State Fire Marshal, retired; and videographer Chief Tom Forster at the Coleman home in Elk Grove while taping Ed Bent's biographical video interview just months prior to his death at age 94 in 2012.
(l-r) Ed Bent, Natalie Rodda, and Cedric Rowntree. Photo taken at the 25th Anniversary Dinner for the California Fire Academy at Asilomar. Photo courtesy of Chief Ronny J. Coleman
Ed Bent on left, Ray Picard on right. Photo taken at the 25th Anniversary Dinner for the California Fire Academy at Asilomar. Photo courtesy of Chief Ronny J. Coleman.
(l-r) Dr. Richard L. Resurreccion, Long Beach State University, retired and Chief Ronny J. Coleman in Fresno during a Training Officers Conference. Dr. "Rez" was one of Ronny's advisors for his Masters Degree Thesis.
Chief Ronny J. Coleman in the City of Red Bluff FD Museum in 2012, with Firefighter/Engineer Chris Martin of the Red Bluff FD, Tom Forster's nephew.
(l-r) Ed Bent, State Fire Training retired; Marie Coleman, Chief Ronny J. Coleman at the Coleman home while taping Ed Bent's biographical video interview just months prior to his death age 94.

Chief Ronny J. Coleman's Masters Degree Thesis on the Evolution of California State Fire Service Training & Education, published with permission below.

Scroll though the entire document below.

Copyright 1994, all rights reserved, Ronny J. Coleman.

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