Corte Madera Fire Department Paramedics
Captain Roger Benz, CMFD & RVPA
Can you imagine having to get special permission from your parents in
order to become a volunteer firefighter? Roger Benz had to, since he was
only 16 years old at the time, and was still attending high school in
1982.
In
his case, getting permission was not difficult, as family roots were
already in place in the fire department.
Corte Madera Captain and Paramedic Roger Benz is a third generation local
firefighter, with roots in the Larkspur FD. His grandfather Walt Benz was a
40-year member of the Larkspur Association of Volunteer Firefighters, and he
completed a long career working for P.G.& E.
His father Ranger Benz also started in Larkspur as a volunteer
firefighter, and was hired fulltime in the 1960’s. He eventually promoted to
Captain, and completed 33 years of service before retiring.
“It’s something that’s always been a part of my life,” said Roger.
Growing up, he remembers fire department social gatherings at the family
home, where the emergency paging system was wired to outdoor speakers in
case of a call. He remembers the hotly contested annual 4th of July softball
game between the Corte Madera and Larkspur FD’s, and a good-natured
waterfight using hose lines to push a barrel down a cable overhead. “The
winner of the game would get a perpetual trophy, and would proudly display
it on the fire engine during the 4th of July parade through the towns,” said
Roger. The loser would get a horse’s ass trophy to keep for the next year.
“I remember a lot of very good times and barbeques,” he said.
He joined the Larkspur FD in 1982 and was issued a fire helmet, coat, and
pager. Times were simpler then. Today the full set of personal protective
clothing and equipment costs thousands of dollars for a new firefighter. He
worked at Walker’s Chevron in Larkspur while he was in Redwood High School,
and graduated in 1984. He worked summer relief shifts at the Larkspur FD
from 1984-86, supplementing the career staff when needed. He was hired at
the Corte Madera FD fulltime in 1987. His brother in law Tony Descalso was
working there at the time. Tony would later transfer to the Florin Fire
Department in Sacramento County.
Roger’s role models included his father and grandfather. “My family taught
me to be a giving and caring person. My Dad was towards the end of his
career when I got hired,” he said. “When I joined Larkspur people would say
‘Oh yeah, that’s Rangers kid…’ then a few years later they would say “Oh
yeah, that’s Roger’s Dad.”
Roger has served under three fire chiefs – Larry Lafresnaye was Chief
from when he was hired until 1993. Bob Fox was Chief from 1993-2008, and
Roger Sprehn has been the Chief since then. In 1997 Corte Madera decided to
train many of their firefighters to also serve as Paramedics, and to
implement an Advanced Life Support Ambulance. “We were always looking for
ways to enhance our service levels,” said Roger.
The fire department hired an outside instructor, and held classes two
days a week at a meeting room in the Corte Madera Town Center. Roger was
part of the first graduating class, which also included current CMFD
Firefighters John Higgins and Eric Van Renselaar.
The classroom portion of the training was approximately 1,000 hours. In
addition, 100 hours were completed at the Kaiser San Rafael Emergency Room,
and 240 hours were spent working with Novato Fire Protection District
Paramedics. “I thought I was a really good EMT until I went to Paramedic
school. Before you had a responsibility for a small piece. Going through
Medic training you have a much better insight into what you are doing,” said
Roger.
Training is ongoing, with every Paramedic having to complete 48 hours of
formal updates every two years at a minimum. “We have to get more training
as protocols are updated and as medical technology evolves,” he said. “You
are responsible for knowing it all. The best part of job is more insight
into each call and the follow-up. The Paramedic role is the most challenging
part of my career.”
Emergency incidents have doubled during his career at Corte Madera FD,
from roughly 700 calls a year to 1400. Roger has also completed his A.S.
degree in Fire Technology, and is a certified California State Fire Officer.
He has served as President of the Marin County Fire Prevention Officers, and
has managed fire prevention inspections for the town. He has also served on
the County-wide Pre-hospital Emergency Medical Care Committee, writes the
specifications for new ambulances, and has managed medical supplies for the
fire department.
“Roger has been the leader in the design and operation of our Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) in Corte Madera, and our disaster management plans.
He has a great deal of local knowledge, which is a great asset for training
others, but can be critical in emergency situations,” said Corte Madera Fire
Chief Roger Sprehn.
“It’s been a very rewarding and comfortable career, and a great
occupation,” said Roger, “the feedback from community has been very
positive, and it’s nice to be able to help people.” He remembers saving a
friends father after a full heart attack. “When he was recovered, he bought
us lunch as a thank you. This was not necessary but really appreciated.”
Roger lives in Cotati in Sonoma County with his “…beautiful wife Lisa”
and their two children, Charlie (10) and Richie (6). He spends much of his
free time helping out at his children’s school, both volunteering in their
classrooms and working as a Noon Supervisor. Roger also enjoys gardening,
“…tinkering on my fish pond”, and traveling with his family.
