Fire Technology Faculty
Rich Stover
Fire Technology Program Coordinator
Our Fire Technology Program Coordinator has been an instructor and advisor at Porterville College for over 25 years. He is a 1972 graduate of Porterville College and began his fire service career in 1970 as a volunteer firefighter while attending Porterville College. He became a fulltime firefighter for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) in 1973, and retired as a Battalion Chief after 32 years of service.
Chief Stover has an extensive fire service training and education background. He served 17 years in the CAL FIRE Training Bureau, including eleven years as the Bureau Chief. He holds both Community College and Adult Education credentials and numerous fire and emergency services instructor certifications. He was a guest instructor at the CAL FIRE Academy near Sacramento for many years, and still conducts numerous courses annually for emergency responders from across the nation. He is a past President of the California Rural Fire Association and has served on numerous State and local fire training, safety and emergency management committees.
Assisting Chief Stover is an instructional cadre that includes
professional firefighters and fire officers representing local, State and Federal
fire agencies from throughout Tulare, Kings and Kern counties. They bring
extensive experience, knowledge and skills to the classroom and drill grounds,
and are committed to providing our students the best basic training
possible.
The Porterville College Fire Technology program is conducted in cooperation with the Tulare and Kings Counties Fire Training Officers Association and the Tulare and Kings Counties Fire Chiefs Association. These organizations provide program advice and guidance, and graciously allow us to use their training facilities, fire apparatus, tools and equipment. Their exceptional support allows us to maintain our State accreditation, and deliver excellent training.
Contact Information …
For more information, contact:
Rich Stover - rstover@portervillecollege.edu
Please limit inquiries to essential
questions. Due to the volume of emails received about our Fire Academies,
response to inquiries may not be immediate, but your email will be
answered as soon as possible.