Fire Technology Faculty

Rich Stover

Fire Technology Program Coordinator

Our Fire Technology Program Coordinator is a 1972 graduate of Porterville College.  He began his fire service career in 1970 as a volunteer firefighter while attending Porterville College.  He became a fulltime firefighter for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) in 1973,  and retired as a Battalion Chief in 2005, after 32 years of service.

Chief Stover has an extensive fire service training and education background. He served 17 years in the Cal Fire Training Bureau, including eleven years as the Bureau Chief. He holds both Community College and Adult Education credentials and numerous fire and emergency services instructor certifications. A guest instructor at the Cal Fire Academy near Sacramento for many years, he has trained firefighters from across the nation. He has been a fire technology instructor and advisor at Porterville College since the mid-1980's and our Fire Technology Program Coordinator since mid-2007.

Assisting Chief Stover is an instructional cadre that includes professional firefighters and fire officers representing local, State and Federal fire agencies from throughout Tulare, Kings and Kern counties. They bring extensive experience, knowledge and skills to the classroom and drill grounds, and are committed to providing our students the best training possible.

The Porterville College Fire Technology program is conducted in cooperation with the Tulare and Kings Counties Fire Training Officers Association and the Tulare and Kings Counties Fire Chiefs Association.   These organizations provide program advice and guidance, and graciously allow us to use their training facilities, fire apparatus, tools and equipment.  Their exceptional support allows us to maintain our State accreditation, and deliver excellent training.

Contact Information …                                        

For more information, contact:
Rich Stover - rstover@portervillecollege.edu
559-791-2449 (Voicemail)

Please limit inquiries to essential questions. Due to the volume of phone calls and emails received about our Fire Academies, response to inquiries may be delayed.  Email is preferred.