Fire Chief Message

Fire District Chief Message

2020 A Year of Challenges

How many of us are still holding on to what we remember as our 'normal life' before the arrival of the COVID-19 Pandemic last March. The Fire District like the rest of the American Canyon community and the World is operating in a very different manner these days. Operationally, we made several significant changes to how we deliver service and respond to emergencies. The health and safety of our employees and the residents that we serve has always been priority #1, but during the pandemic, it has become a daily struggle for all of us. Development of pandemic specific response guidelines, prescribing the use and wearing of PPE, adjusting and increasing staffing, segregating crews and re-opening the Fire Station at 225 James Rd, implementing COVID-19 testing, and eventually ensuring that all our personnel had access to vaccinations were just a few of the actions that we have taken to ensure that we can continue to serve the community of American Canyon.

Changes in Leadership –

Over the past year, there have been several changes within the leadership ranks of the Fire District. Fire Chief Glen Weeks and Assistant Fire Chief Blake Lawson both retired after serving the District's residents for fourteen and a half years and twenty-one years respectfully. Chief Weeks' position was filled on an interim basis by (retired) Fire Chief Michael Cahill and Chief Lawson's position was later filled by interim Assistant Fire Chief James Comisky. The Fire District Board removed the 'interim' from Chief Cahill's title on January 21, 2021 by a 5-0 vote. Board member Kenneth Leary chose to not run for re-election during the November City Council race and the remaining Fire Board welcomed Pierre Washington as the newest member of the Fire District Board in December.