Blazing ahead

They are called upon to handle everything from hiking mishaps to brush fires ? at $5 a call.

The volunteer firefighters of Station 11 in Emerald Bay are a varied group with a common cause, and they’re looking for others willing to be called from daily life without notice.

The 15-member crew is seeking five new recruits who share a sense of community commitment, love of excitement and desire for camaraderie.

The station has been serving the community since 1936 as part of the Orange County Fire Authority.

One of the requirements to serve is residing within five minutes of the station.

All members of the station hold other roles in life such as salesman or student, but have the added responsibility of protecting the safety of the more than 500 families located in the unincorporated area between Crystal Cove and Laguna Beach.

A demanding training regime and a pay rate of $5 per call weed out the committed from the non-committed, station captain David Skarman said.

“No one does this for the money,” Skarman said.

Last year the station responded to 126 calls, of which about 80% were medical-related, Skarman said.

“Most calls are to the back country to aid mountain bikers and hikers,” he said.

Skarman, a sales manager for a real estate title company, said every member of the station is on call unless they notify otherwise.

“It [the job] becomes all-encompassing. It’s hard on families, girlfriends and wives,” Skarman said.

With the aim of having his crew en route to emergencies within three minutes of a call, Skarman said his firefighters have adapted successfully to the lifestyle of a volunteer firefighter

“You have to sleep a certain way, leave your car and keys in certain positions, because when the pager goes off it’s all automatic,” Skarman said.

“We drop and go,” 15-year veteran Jerry Dacus said.

Dacus, a real estate broker, said he has walked out in the middle of negotiating a deals to respond to calls.

“When the call comes it’s exciting, you can’t wait to do what you’re trained to do,” Skarman said.

All firefighters are required through a 14-week academy operated by the Orange County Fire Authority.

A critical step in training is a test known as the “biddle” which involves pulling a hose through a demanding obstacle course for about nine minutes.

On average, firefighters at Station 11 spend around four hours a week training to improve their rescue capabilities.

Station 11 has two recruits currently going through the training process.

Third-month trainees Logan Garber and Max Parker, both 19, pay their dues as trainees by doing dishes and mopping.

Both volunteered as a first step toward becoming career firefighters.

“I always wanted to be a firefighter,” Garber said.

With the anticipation of being able to ride the engine soon, Garber says he likes to hang out around the station even when he doesn’t have to be there.cpt.28-firestation-CPhotoInfoGP1QCU6F20060428iycsgcncDON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Firefighter trainees Max Parker, left, and Logan Garber man the hose as they train at Emerald Bay Station 11.