Academy Information

Our staff and instructors come from a variety of fire departments in the Southern California area, and offer the students a diverse and knowledgeable background in the fire service.  Our instructors range in rank from Fire Chief to Firefighter and all ranks in between. Most of our instructors come from the area "C" cities, which comprise the Verdugo Dispatch Group of Agencies. All of our instructors are State Fire Marshal certified in the topics they teach.

Academy Directors

Chief Sam

Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Academy Chief Coordinater


Sam DiGiovanna is the Verdugo Fire Academy Chief Coordinator and has held this position since 2006. He is the liasion for the State Fire Marshal's Office to develop relationships with the "Area C" Cities of Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Gabriel, Alhambra, San Marino, San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Arcadia and Monrovia. He retired from the Monrovia Fire Department as Fire Chief and Deputy City Manager and served for 26 years. Chief Sam started as a Firefighter and worked up through the ranks holding the positions of Firefighter, Fire Captain and Battalion Chief. Within his time with the City of Monrovia Chief Sam served as the Department Training Officer, the Department Public Information Officer, and as the "Area C" wildland strike team leader.







bagan

Chief Tony Bagan

Fire Technology Director


Tony Bagan is the Fire Technology Director for Glendale Community College, and also the Basic Fire Academy Administrator. Chief Bagan is a 29 year veteran of the Pasadena Fire Department and currently holds the rank of Battalion Chief. Chief Bagan started his fire service career in 1986 as a Fire Explorer. He was sponsored by the Pasadena Fire Department to the Pasadena Fire Academy where he graduated in 1987. He has served the Pasadena Fire Department as an Auxiliary Firefighter and Emergency Medical Services Reserve before he was hired full-time. Chief Bagan has served in all ranks and the assignments of Training Captain and Deputy Fire Marshal. Chief Bagan is a graduate of the paramedic program at UCLA Center for Pre-Hospital Care. Chief Bagan is a registered Master Instructor with the Office of the California State Fire Marshal and is registered to teach a variety of classes including Fire Control, Fire Prevention, and Public Education Courses. He is certified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a Fire Instructor Level III, Fire Prevention Officer Level I, and Public Education Officer.
  • Instructor of the Year

    Pic of Chief Haney The Instructor of the Year is presented once per year (class) for the Instructor that demonstrates the following traits; Adherence to and modeling of the VFA integrity agreement and expectations of a VFA Instructor. Strong leadership ability. Strong code of conduct and work ethic. Dedication to the program and to the Cadet learning process. Teaching effectiveness / Relating to the Cadet and meeting Cadet needs.

    This award is voted on by the cadets, and approved by VFA administration.

  • Alumni and former cadets

    Graduation The VFA has a very good reputation of graduating top notch candidates for firefighters. Over the course of our time with Glendale Community College approximately 70% of our graduating cadets have been hired with agencies as diverse as Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles City and County, Pasadena, Glendale, Long Beach, Chicago, and Oxnard.

    Several of the cadets who have been hired have returned to the VFA as Instructors. Their memories of the instructional staff, the training involved, the relationships they built, and the best preparation for the job, has brought them back to their roots.

    These former cadets now VFA instructors are from Oxnard, Glendale, Pasadena and several other local agencies. You can find out more information about our graduated cadets by visiting the VFA alumni page.

  • Community Service

    recruit The VFA instills in our cadets a since of pride and participation in the community, much like when they are hired within a department. The Cadets volunteer their time off academy hours to assist in various community events.

    These events range from recruitment events for the academy, GCC BBQ's, back to school events.

    The cadets have recently assisted the Firefighter Cancer Awareness Network with several events.

    For more information on our cadet volunteer events you can check out our calendar on the news page.

The VFA Vision

Since the early 1970's the California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) has certified recruit fire fighter Academies. The Verdugo Fire Academy has evolved from one of the first Academies in California, and offers the experience gained to the firefighters of the future. The Academy has changed sponsors, and even names, over the years, but many of the same dedicated instructors continue to serve you. The average length of experience of our instructors is eighteen years in the fire service. Through the years, developments in the CSFM-approved curriculum, as well as advances in the fire service profession, have mandated an increase in hours and the introduction of new disciplines, have had a direct effect on what must be taught to recruit fire fighters. The Verdugo Fire Academy curriculum reflects these new standards and in many instances exceeds them. The goal of the Academy, however, is to do more than meet the standards. We strive to assist students in becoming the most competitive candidates possible. The staff and instructors of the Academy are here because of the students we serve. We look forward to having you join our program, our community, and our profession.

The VFA Mission

The mission of the Verdugo Fire Academy is to develop, train and educate interested candidates in the safe execution of firefighting skills, tactics and strategies. The VFA teaches to the California State Fire Training guidelines and curriculum, and surpasses the recommended hours. The Verdugo Fire Academy will give cadets a good foundation on which to build a career as a viable member of the firefighting family and to a greater extent the community in which they will serve. Cadets will be taught discipline, leadership and the importance of being a community representative. The staff and instructors of the Verdugo Fire Academy are committed to this purpose.