August 2008
The lightning event of June 21, 2008 throughout Northern California put the Garden Valley Fire Protection District and hundreds of other departments, agencies and private contractors into its wildfire mode early. 1400 wildfires were reported burning in the state. The Garden Valley and Georgetown areas of El Dorado County had numerous fires burning on the evening of June 21. Garden Valley Fire and Georgetown, with assistance from every El Dorado County Fire Department, Cal Fire resources and Federal agency firefighters managed to contain the dozen plus fires with no loss of property or injuries.
It was truly a team effort and shows the value of a strong mutual aid system.
The California fire season starts September 1
With the 1400 + fire raging throughout California, every one of the 12 California/Federal Incident Management Teams were activated. The Garden Valley All Risk Team program provided qualified IMT personnel to these teams from our list of retired, call when needed employees. Every one of the 15 personnel has been assigned to a minimum of 2 14 day assignments at this point. The Garden Valley Engine# 251 spent 30 days out on assignment at the Humboldt Fire in Paradise and in the Shasta National Forest in Weaverville. Chief Bill Dekker was assigned as an Air Tactical Group Supervisor on California Team #3 on the Canyon Complex in Plumas County and the Basin Fire in Big Sur. Assistant Chief Szczepanik was assigned to Basin Fire in Big Sur and the Panther Fire Klamath National Forest (where there was a fire fatality) with California Team #1 as the Incident Safety Officer. Assistant Chief Bob Bement did his usual great job of keeping things together as acting Chief in Dekker's absence.
To date, the GVFPD has billed the USFS, California OES and Cal Fire a total of $915,327.00 for services provided to those agencies this year. This includes the $206,987.00 that the District will collect in administrative fees that go into the Districts operating budget.
The career staff of the GVFPD has voted to join with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF). They are currently in the application process and will appear before the Board in September for formal recognition as an employee bargaining unit. Jeff Burch was elected president of the local.
Engine 51 is in the shop at Valley Power in West Sacramento. The 21 year old engine (1987), which was purchased used by the district after service in Burlingame (SF area) for 14 years has electrical problems, brake problems, turbo/manifold leaks, overheating and transmission shifting problems. These apparently have never been addressed by a professional mechanic since coming to GVFPD. The current estimate for repairs is $4500.00. It should be noted that this is the first out structure fire unit. The second out unit is a 1983 engine stationed in Kelsey. Engine 253, a 1073 Seagrave pumper is out of service. I will be putting together a committee to start planning and putting together specifications for a new engine to replace Engine 51.
Work is progressing on the Squad 51 bed project. The Hydraulic rescue tool reels have been mounted along with Scab's and some tools.
The Garden Valley Firefighters Association has a new president, FF Kevin Lantz. They have been real busy with their address sign program. Residents of the district can purchase the signs from the association. On duty crews will mount the signs and conduct a courtesy defensible space inspection while they are there if requested.
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