San Francisco Fleet Week Sailors and Marines Participate in Joint training with SFFD.

SAN FRANCISCO ¬– Sailors and Marines from various units participating in San Francisco Fleet Week (SFFW) partnered with the San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) Station 49 paramedics to conduct joint training, Oct. 4, 2023.

Ten Sailors and Marines met with paramedics at SFFD Station 49 before the sun rose to ride along with units while they responded to calls across San Francisco to share best practices and to experience how their military and civilian counterparts react in emergency situations.

Throughout Fleet Week, various training and integration drills and exercises between U.S. Navy Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard units can learn from local civilian organizations, as well as practice integrating with those units for scenario-based drills and real-world emergency situations to share best practices.

Among the Sailors in attendance was Hospitalman Brian Kloss, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60).

“I am hoping that I can get some experience working in a small unit like this while responding to situations with little outside assistance,” said Kloss.

Every Sailor is trained how to handle a variety of emergency situations, from basic medical care to advanced firefighting techniques regardless of what their primary job may be.

“The team that I’m with right now has been showing me so many things and I have been able to share a bit about what I do as well,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Marabel Salazar. “I actually just taught one of the paramedics that I’m with how to tie a bowline knot.”

As the day progressed the Sailors experienced a wide variety of emergency situations during their ride along, even assisting when possible.

“We had one call where we arrived on scene to a patient that was in a bad way," said Kloss. “As a Navy Corpsman, I can’t necessarily help directly with patient care due to differing scope of practices, but I was able to lend a hand to run supplies to the paramedics and just help out where I can. It was a great experience to see how our civilian counterparts respond to certain situations and share how we are alike and even compare best practices.”

Beyond emergency response techniques, SFFD paramedics were also able to share the training they experienced in order to serve the public, and how active duty military training can translate to a fulfilling career outside, continuing with their skillset.

“It was great to show what we do,” said Jose Cardoza, a paramedic with SFFD. “Whether it’s just educating each other on how we operate, or even the pathways to continue what you do in the military once you get out. At the end of the day it was a great experience and I know we all learned a lot from each other. It was an honor to host our service members.”

SFFW is an opportunity for the American public to meet the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard teams and experience America's sea services. During Fleet week, service members participate in various community service events, showcase capabilities and equipment to the community and enjoy the hospitality of the city and its surrounding areas.