Grass Valley, CA — January 15, 2026— The Grass Valley Fire Department is proud to announce that all seven firefighters hired through Measure B funding have successfully completed their one-year probationary period, marking a significant milestone for both the firefighters and the community they serve.
During their probationary year, each firefighter completed more than 450 hours of structured training. This training encompassed a wide range of critical skills, including fire suppression tactics, emergency medical response, wildland firefighting and ongoing scenario-based drills. The training program is designed to ensure firefighters can safely and effectively respond to the diverse emergencies faced by the community.
In addition to training, these firefighters gained extensive real-world experience by responding to the agency’s approximate 6,400 emergency calls in 2025, including fires, medical aids, rescues and public service calls. This high call volume provided invaluable hands-on experience and reinforced their ability to perform under pressure while working as part of an integrated emergency response team.
The firefighters also played an active role in regional emergency operations, participating in 30 Strike Team and Pre-Position assignments. These deployments supported large-scale incidents such as wildfires and extreme weather events, both locally and throughout the state. Their involvement brought advanced experience and operational knowledge back to the department.
“Completing probation is a major accomplishment,” said Mark Buttron, Fire Chief. “These firefighters have demonstrated professionalism, resilience and dedication through intensive training, a demanding call load and participation in major incident responses. They are now fully prepared to serve our community at the highest level.”
For the firefighters, successful completion of probation represents professional growth, job security and recognition as permanent members of the department. For the community, it reflects a tangible return on the investment made through Measure B—strengthening emergency response capabilities, improving staffing reliability and enhancing overall public safety.
“The community’s support through Measure B made this achievement possible,” added Chief Buttron. “These seven firefighters are now a permanent part of our organization and will continue to protect lives, property and the safety of our residents for years to come.”
The Grass Valley Fire Department congratulates these firefighters on their achievement and thanks the community for its continued trust and support.