The Orange County Fire Authority and Goodwill of Orange County have been partners in workforce development for more than 30 years. For three decades, OCFA and Goodwill OC have created meaningful career opportunities for people with disabilities, providing a challenging, supportive and comfortable work environment for its team.
“The OCFA originally contracted with Goodwill in February of 1990, when the first two individuals started working [here] with the OCFA,” said Brian Samaniego, Service Center Lead at OCFA. “In 2001, our Fire Chief, Chip Prather, made the two original individuals full time employees with retirement benefits as well as paid sick leave and vacation time.”
Goodwill OC participants Kenneth, Tim, Kevin and Tom have worked at OCFA for 13, 19, 33, and 34 years now – a testament to the incredible careers OCFA has given them. They each work in vital roles, supporting critical tasks that help OCFA run more efficiently.
Their work consists of pulling and issuing inventory stock on daily supply orders to be delivered to fire stations and headquarters across the county, making deliveries, maintaining and cleaning the restrooms, breakroom, and office areas, handling interdepartmental mail and incoming/outgoing USPS mail and packages, and assisting the janitor in cleaning duties around the headquarters campus.
Tom and Kevin’s favorite part of the job is the community and culture at OCFA. This is what has kept Tom working at OCFA for 34 years – it’s the longest job he has ever had.
All four employees work alongside a Goodwill OC job coach named Eli. He helps them stay on track with their job tasks and consistently monitors their accuracy and quality of work. When their workload is higher than normal, he assists with their projects or helps them manage their time more efficiently. For Eli, this partnership between OCFA and Goodwill OC has been life-changing for him, too. Before he started working at Goodwill OC, he didn’t have a clear direction or a purpose in his career. Becoming a job coach has made a profound positive impact on his life.
“All the clients and participants that I have met along my journey here have really changed how I view things. It’s a fulfilling job and I really like it,” Eli said.
The roles the Goodwill OC team fill at OCFA are important. “Their tasks are essential to the smooth operation of the OCFA Service Center, and their presence ensures that necessary responsibilities are fulfilled,” Samaniego said. “Their contributions are integral to the purpose and functioning of the work place. They all foster a positive attitude and brighten the day of their coworkers.”
Through partnerships with employers like OCFA, more opportunities and more pathways to meaningful careers are created for everyone in Orange County. These partnerships are how Goodwill OC’s vision will become a reality – where Orange County is a caring and connected community where everyone has access to meaningful career opportunities.
To learn more about hiring from Goodwill OC, please visit ocgoodwill.org/hire-from-goodwill/.
