The former student of Santa Ana College continues the heritage of fighting his family – Orange County Register

In the tight district of Yorba Linda, where Lauren Schaefer, a former student of Santa Ana, grew up, her family is known as “Fire Family” – the neighbors of essentials often turn to a medical emergency.

So several years ago, when their neighbor was arrested cardiac, it is not surprising that Schaefer, then aged 15, joined his mother, now retired head of division of the Brea fire service, and his father, a captain of the same department, trying to relying the man.

Schafer had grown up around the fire station and was formed to perform the RCR, so jumping into it seemed natural.

Unfortunately, the man has died, but thanks to this experience, she learned that even if the result will not always be in your favor, “as long as you try your best and you are there for this person at that time, that’s all you can really do,” she said.

Five years later, his skills were again put to the test when another student from Menlo College was arrested heart. Schafer began thoracic compressions before the arrival of paramedical paramedics and, with the first speakers, saved the life of the girl.

This experience cemented his desire to become a firefighter, she said.

“If I can just show their family and friends that I give everything I can to save that person they like, then I’m going to do this and do my best to be there for them,” said Schafer, now 26 years old.

On fire for school

After obtaining a Baccalaureate in Business and Marketing at Menlo College, Schaefer signed up at Santa Ana College, where she obtained a diploma in fire science and an emergency medical technician license.

“I had heard great things about the program, and it ended up being great,” she said. “I did well in the lessons and I learned a lot and then got a job with the Laguna Beach fire service just after their release.”

The bag technology program serves more than 12,000 students per year, offering 88 different fire technology lessons in five areas of program. Students can choose from four academic certificates, four associated diplomas and 42 accredited regional training programs.

Schaefer started his job with Laguna Beach as an ambulance operator in September 2023. Impressed by her skills and motivation, his employer sponsored his inscriptions at the base of Basic Fire Academy of bag.

Created in 1967, the 16 -week Basic Academy bag is one of the oldest and largest in the state, a graduate of 186 academies since its creation.

It was an excellent adjustment for Schaefer, since his mother graduated from the bag’s Fire Academy and is now an instructor at Sac. The only woman on 60 recruits in the 186th Santa Ana College Basic Fire Academy, Schafer was immediately operated for a management position as a recruitment chief.

“I was super honored,” she said, adding that the first week of the Academy was intimidating. “The simple fact of learning to make orders, and the structure of the classroom and bring everyone in the places in time was difficult. But once we understood it was great.”

Daniel Tolmasoff, the head of the deputy recruit of the 186th Academy, said that many recruits wondered how it would have a woman as a recruitment chief. “But after the first two days, and as soon as we started PT, she started beating a lot of guys. We respected this and respected her work ethics. She was one of the most working people in the Academy.”
Although the training was rigorous, said Schaefer, the simple fact of knowing that the recruits were all in the same situation “linked us a lot, and we were able to cross it together. I would not exchange it for any other academy, at any other time.”

Drive by example

Schafer noted that she had the chance to have several excellent female models as an instructor and lead to the Fire Academy.

“They really took me under their wing and helped me with my leadership skills,” she said. “Because they have so much experience, they were able to guide me a little and tell me what worked for them and what did not do it.”

It didn’t take long to gain respect for his peers.

“Everyone saw that she was a big leader from the first day,” said Tolmasoff. “Just her presence and the way she spoke to everyone with great kindness and respect, she never seemed above anyone. She was always right in the hard work, which leads the example.”

Schaefer declared that the role of leadership at SAGI has taught professionalism, critical thinking, decision -making, patience and responsibility – the qualities it uses every day in its work as an ambulance operator and main trainer at the Laguna Beach fire service.

“Keeping this mental tenacity and not being released at all in any aspect applies a lot to the fire service and my work now, because once you have been a little complacent, something will happen,” she said. “You must always stay on top of your skills, in addition to your health, both mentally and physically.”

Learn at work

Schaefer finally wants to have a career as a firefighter, and learning the culture of fire as an ambulance operator was a positive experience, she noted. A typical day for her includes the response to calls for 911, cleaning and replenishment of the ambulance, lessons teaching on skills and equipment, and to help plan and cook meals with firefighters.

“We are also included in all fire training, so that prepares us for our future careers,” said Schafer.

It attributes to its bag instructors in fire technology lessons and the Basic Fire Academy for having supported it, pushing it when it needed it and making the environment of realistic fire.

“I think that going through the whole process with the Santa Ana College was really beneficial for me,” said Schaefer. “I couldn’t speak more positively about all the experience I had there.”
For more information on fire technology programs at the Santa Ana College, click here.

To find out more about the Santa Ana College, please visit www.sac.edu.

The news and the editor-in-chief of the Southern California News Group and the San Diego Union-Tribune had no role in the preparation of this position.