Serving As Fire Chief

Denis Cooper

Staff Writer

Dcooper@sclance.com

Art Coda, 54, has been Shasta College’s fire chief for over three years. Cota enjoys the many different rewards that come through serving as fire chief. “The thanks and reward can’t express how good I feel helping others, giving back to the community,” Cota said.

“Myself and the other guys here at the fire hall and fire department in Shasta College are one big family, when one guy messes up, we all do,” said Cota.

Prior to Shasta College, Cota worked 25 years for the state fire marshal office as Chief of Fire Training.. Prior to tat Cota worked for the city of Visalia fire departments for 10 years. Cota got his first job as a fire fighter in 1974, “I’ve got about 35 years fighting fires and or training firefighters.”

After retiring from the fire service in 2005 Kota came to Shasta College as Fire Chief , training our next fire fighters/ Cota’s over sees the day to day operation of the fire department and staff; as well as being assistant fire chief with the volunteer fire fighters.

“For a certain amount of time a year, we have a contract with Cal Fire to provide staff in the department there, Cota said.

“My personal job is to oversee the fire department. I make sure we have the resources necessary to provide fire protection services for Shasta College and the EMS Emergency Medical Services division.” Cota said.

The bulk of the work at the fire department is responding to EMS calls then the other major component of my job is to run the fire technology program to oversee the day-to-day operations, hire instructors, provide direct supervision of the firefighters 1 academy. I also assign who can teach the different components of the different fire classes we have or EMS, such as EMT first responders and others as well.” The other part of Cota’s job is to over see the hazardous material safety program on Shasta College Campus. Shasta College should feel pretty safe and secure with the Fire Chief Art Cota; shutting down Shasta College Fire Hall would be an unfortunate thing to happen.