Costa Mesa firefighter completes paramedic training

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Firefighter Kenji Taniguchi has completed paramedic training and begun his new role as a firefighter-paramedic.

Courtesy of city of Costa Mesa

(L-R) Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue firefighter-paramedic Mitch Diamond, Firefighter Kenji Taniguchi and firefighter-paramedic Spencer Hibbard celebrate Taniguchi’s completion of paramedic training

Taniguchi’s training included 360 hours of classroom instruction, 168 hours of supervised clinical experience at local hospitals and 576 hours of field internship work responding to medical emergencies.

After receiving his California paramedic license and local accreditation from the Orange County EMS Agency, Taniguchi will serve Costa Mesa residents as a firefighter-paramedic.

The department also recognized firefighter-paramedic preceptors Mitch Diamond and Spencer Hibbard, who supervised and evaluated field internships, as well as EMS Battalion Chief Justin Horner for his leadership and coordination during the process.