The Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD) has confirmed that Daniel Leseberg has been hired as a volunteer firefighter/EMT and will attend Unitek’s “boot camp” EMT training in Arizona this September, a program funded by district resources at a cost of approximately $8,500 per student.
The decision, confirmed in correspondence from Chief Bill Lutze, follows several months of board deliberations concerning the district’s recruitment practices, commitment obligations, and allocation of public funds.
Urgency to Expand EMT Coverage
Chief Lutze explained that the move stems from urgent staffing needs. At present, SIFPD has just one EMT covering the entire district around the clock, a workload the chief called “not sustainable.” The district board authorized funding for up to two recruits to attend the intensive 14-day Unitek program, which produces certified EMTs far more quickly than traditional semester-long courses.
SIFPD also plans to host its own EMT training course locally in the fall, extending over several months of evenings and weekends, in hopes of drawing additional volunteers from the community.
Hiring Process and Standards
In his responses to questions from TecopaCabana, Lutze described a multi-step vetting process that includes:
- A formal application and interview with the chief
- Drug testing
- A dual-layered background investigation conducted by both a contractor and a private investigator specializing in law enforcement and firefighter reviews
- A comprehensive physical exam in Las Vegas
- Completion of county and district paperwork
All new hires, Lutze emphasized, must take an oath of office and serve a probationary period during which they are closely supervised. Any performance issues, he said, would be addressed up to and including dismissal.
Training Commitments and Pledge
California law, Lutze noted, prohibits binding trainees to a fixed term of service tied to district-funded training. However, the SIFPD board has approved a non-binding pledge agreement asking trainees to commit to serving for at least two years.
Lutze also confirmed that EMTs attending Unitek may bring a guest or spouse, provided there is no cost to the district. If they travel in a district vehicle, the chief must approve the arrangement.
Applicants and Recruitment
Since Lutze became chief, four individuals have applied to serve with SIFPD. Two applicants withdrew, one (Leseberg) has been hired, and a fourth is “extremely close to being hired,” according to Lutze. That second candidate may be given the choice between attending Unitek or joining the local EMT training program this fall.
When asked how potential applicants learned about the opportunity, Lutze said SIFPD “advertised quite heavy” at their fundraising event TecopaFest! in 2024, using signs and direct conversations. He added that board members and community members also recruit informally by word of mouth.
It was noted that SIFPD did not make postings on social media or through traditional outlets as it had in past recruitment efforts. Lutze defended the approach, saying that in his experience “word of mouth is often more effective than a poster or Facebook post.”
The district plans to launch a more formal outreach campaign this fall, including calls for volunteers and notices about community training opportunities.
Public Accountability
Under the California Public Records Act, names of fire district personnel are generally subject to public disclosure. While initially cautious about confirming individual hires, Lutze ultimately acknowledged that Leseberg’s appointment had been announced at the district’s July 17 public board meeting.
However, not all community members heard the disclosure, as the beginning portion of the meeting was not available on Zoom when the announcement was made.
Questions About Influence
Questions have been raised about whether personal offers of support might influence the district’s hiring decisions. Leseberg had proposed brewing a commemorative beer at his mother’s establishment, Death Valley Brewing, and donating a share of the proceeds to SIFPD at a recent board meeting. Chief Lutze firmly rejected the idea that such gestures bear any influence, stressing that recruitment decisions rest solely on established policy and professional standards.
“I can assure you that no donation of any kind has any influence on me making any decision as Chief,” he wrote, citing his 45 years in law enforcement and commitment to district policies.
TecopaCabana asked Chief Lutze what strengths he believed Leseberg brought to the department. That question went unanswered.
Looking Ahead
The episode highlights the challenges facing rural fire protection districts like SIFPD: responding quickly to urgent staffing shortages while maintaining transparency and fairness in recruitment. With a fall training program planned and a broader outreach campaign in development by the board, the district will soon face another test of how it engages its community in building the next generation of first responders alongside their two new fire stations.
The next public SIFPD meeting will take place at the Tecopa Community Center and on Zoom on August 21, 6pm.
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