May 2008
Fire season is upon us. The Garden Valley staff has responded to numerous vegetation fires already this year. Two major fires have already occurred in El Dorado County with the loss of a structure and many vehicles. The GVFPD has completed its annual wildfire refresher training (Thanks to Linda and Rich) and is geared up and ready. Cal Fire is staffing their station in Garden Valley full time starting May 12. With our shortage of available volunteers, their help will be invaluable to the Garden Valley community.
I have been notified by Attorney Phillip Berry that the late Clay Dieckmann has left the sum of $10,000 to the Garden Valley Fire Department.
Fire Academy recruit Cristina Havens fell and broke her ankle while training in the field on Saturday, May 10. She is home recuperating, in good spirits and will be out of service for 6-8 weeks. She is covered under the District's Workman's Compensation plan and disability insurance.
The Brush truck is near completion, and is in service. We are waiting on a few backordered parts to finish it up. The unit has been assigned the designator "Patrol 51" and will be a good addition to our response capabilities.
Pending personnel matters have been referred to the Fire District's attorney and should be resolved shortly. Rich Waters has been appointed to the position of Acting Captain during this process. Mike Brazel was hired as a temporary employee on A shift.
The El Dorado County Grand Jury has issued a report recommending that augmentation funding to the Fire District's by the County be eliminated and that the six District's receiving this funding be consolidated into one of the "Big Three" Districts. I have met with the Chief of the El Dorado County Fire District and will meet with representatives from Cal Fire next week in preparation for our required response to the Grand jury.
The 2008/2009 cooperative agreement between the USFS and the Garden Valley Fire Protection District has been submitted and approved by the El Dorado National Forest Fire Management Officer. I expect to sign the agreement today.
I attended the usual meetings ie: JPA, County Fire Chiefs, various committees etc.
I attended the dedication ceremony of the new El Dorado Hills Fire Station.
D/C Szczepanik and I met with USFS personnel in Placerville to discuss response for the following fire season.
I met with the USFS Air Attack Supervisor in Grass Valley to set up my training sessions for my air attack program.
Its been a good month. I feel that morale and motivation are up and its becoming a fun place to work again...
Fire Chief Bill Dekker
Report Archive
