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A M E R I C A N C A N Y O N F I R E P R O T E C T I O N D I S T R I C T News-Ladder
A Message from the Chief
Dear American Canyon Community,
Celebrating 10 Years of the ALS Program
On May 16th, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our Advanced Life Support (ALS) program. This event was a tremendous success, honoring the paramedics and EMTs who serve our community. A special highlight was hearing from Jeanette Tongson, the wife of Joel Tongson, who survived a heart attack thanks to the swift action of our AmCanFire crew. We were also privileged to have remarks from Dr. Andrew Nothmann, our supervising physician, and Leon Garcia, Chair of the Fire Board. Their words underscored the dedication and determination our team brings to ensuring top-notch medical care for all.
Weed Abatement Enforcement
Starting June 1st, we will begin our weed abatement enforcement. This involves clearing all dead grass, brush, and debris around homes and properties to make them resistant to wildfires. Keeping your property clear is crucial for community safety.
Vegetation Management with Goats
In partnership with Napa County Fire, the City of American Canyon, and Napa Firewise, we have deployed 270 goats for vegetation management. These goats are working to clear large areas and hard-to-reach places in an eco-friendly manner, helping to maintain the beautiful ecosystems in our area.
New Inflatable Rescue Boat
In mid-May, AmCan Fire acquired an inflatable rescue boat thanks to a grant from the Department of Boating and Waterways. This boat will be vital for rescue operations within the District and neighboring areas. We are immensely grateful for the grant funding and remind everyone to practice water safety while enjoying our local waterways.
Ongoing Training and Community Engagement
Our commitment to training and community engagement continues to be strong. Please read on to learn more about the various activities and initiatives we are involved in to keep our community safe and well-prepared. We look forward to seeing you all at ‘Meet Me In The Street’ events!
Thank you for your continued support and stay safe!
Stay safe!
Geoff Belyea Fire Chief American Canyon Fire Protection District
Incident Type 2023 2024 Change Fires 28 15 53 % Medical Aids 419 492 15 % Hazardous Conditions 21 20 4 % Good Intent Calls 37 30 19 % False Alarms 41 47 13 % Total Calls YTD 825 810 2 %
Operational report numbers are cumulative YTD.
Operations Division
May Training
Module 3 Testing Module 2 Testing
EMS Skills Update
USAR Drill - Shoring
MCI (Mass Casualty Incident) Drill
Monthly Training Hours 1,158 YTD Training Hours 10,140 Highlights
BADGE PINNING
Cummings Family Lougrahn Family del Castillo Family
On Thursday, May 29th, we welcomed three new probationary firefighters to the American Canyon Fire Protection District. John Cummings, Brad Loughran, and Eddie del Castillo were proudly sworn in and had their badges pinned, officially joining the ranks of the #AmCanFire family.
The ceremony was a heartfelt occasion attended by peers, family, friends, and mentors who came to show their support and celebrate this significant milestone.
Please join us in welcoming Firefighters Cummings, Loughran, and del Castillo to the AmCan community. We are excited to have them on board and look forward to their contributions to our team's dedication and service.
Welcome to the family, John, Brad, and Eddie!
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Our friends from Calvary Baptist Christian Academy graduated 12 DARE graduates from American Canyon Police Department’s program on Friday, May 17th. After the graduation ceremony, they treated both AmCan PD and AmCan Fire with a ‘Public Safety Appreication’ luncheon.
We are grateful for strong community partnerships which lead to positive interaction with our youth.
American Canyon Fire Protection District Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Advanced Life Support Program!
We were honored to have several dignitaries and community members join us in celebrating a decade of providing the highest level of prehospital care to the American Canyon community. Chief Belyea remarked, "Today is a celebration of your Fire District’s commitment to delivering the highest level of care to our community. Ten years ago, we began our Firefighter Paramedic program, and over that time, we have had the opportunity to make a positive impact on many of our community members' lives when they suffer a medical emergency."
Special thanks to Assistant Chief Campbell for being the master of ceremonies, Dr. Andrew Nothmann, our supervising physician, and Mrs. Jeanette Tongson for sharing the survival story of her husband Joel. Joel's life was saved after a heart attack by the quick actions of the Paramedics and EMTs of AmCanFire.
We are deeply proud of the work we do and the high level of care we provide the #AmCan community.
EXPLORER EXPLORER CORNER CORNER
May Drill:
This month's training for the Fire Explorers focused on wildland operations. They learned about the types and usage of wildland engines, specifically what we have in our fleet. They also performed progressive hose lays, laying 600 feet of wildland hose to simulate real-world wildfire conditions. This exercise not only enhanced their skills but also fostered team building.
The overarching goal of the American Canyon Fire Protection District’s Explorer program is to provide members with knowledge and hands-on skills to prepare them for the fire academy and exposure to the fundamentals of the job.
We are dedicated to teaching and instilling the core values of the American Canyon Fire Protection District in all our training and activities.
AmCan Fire proudly grooms the next generation of firefighters by instilling core values and building a strong foundation for successful careers.
Interesed in becoming an Explorer?: amcanfire.com
Mutual Respect Integrity Responsibility Empathy Kindness Empowerment Dedication Adaptable Transparency Professionalism
Weed Abatement
As of June 1st, weed abatement enforcement has commenced in American Canyon and throughout Napa County. This initiative is crucial for reducing wildfire fuel and ensuring the safety of our community.
Why is Weed Abatement Important?
Weed abatement is vital because it significantly reduces the fuel available for wildfires, thereby lowering the risk of fire spread and intensity. Keeping vegetation under control is a key preventive measure in protecting our homes, wildlife, and natural landscapes from devastating wildfires.
Grazing Fuel Reduction Program
In partnership with the City of American Canyon, Napa County, and Napa County Firewise, the American Canyon Fire Protection District has initiated a grazing fuel reduction program.
From the NapaFirewise website:
Grazing with sheep to manage wildfire fuels in the Newell Open Space Preserve began on Friday, May 17th, 2024. Contract grazer, Cori Carlson of Napa Pasture Protein brought in 250 of her “girls,” or ewes which have already given birth this year. These are Dorper sheep, and are accompanied by a sheep herder, and a livestock guardian dog named Lola.
This part of the Newell preserve has not been grazed for quite some time. The Creekside Trail has a high-water table and previous grazing with cows destroyed the soil and habitat around the creek and road. This is why sheep/goats are perfect for this project. They are moving through quickly and have grazed both sides of the Creekside Trail already.
We appreciate the community's cooperation and vigilance in maintaining a safe environment for everyone. Together, we can make a significant impact on wildfire prevention.
To follow the status of this exciting project, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram @ amcanfire
Stay safe and thank you for your continued support in keeping American Canyon fire-safe!
To Report A Property that has Overgrowth Scan the QR Code on the right
SUCCESS WITH SAFETY
june - water safety
What is ACCERT?
ACCERT, American Canyon Community Response Team, is a program that educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may occur where they live
ACCERT trains volunteers in basic disaster response skills such as: Fire Safety Light Search and Rescue Team Organization Communication
MAY UPDATE: On Saturday, May 18th ACCERT assisted the City of Yountville with their annual ‘Sip and Stroll’ event.
On Sunday, May 19th, 11 new graduates completed the CERT basic course. the same day, ACCERT Director Powell Helems Sr. completed a three-day training in Walnut Creek on Wide Area Search.
On Thursday May 23rd, Napa County CERT teams joined Cappell Fire and the USCG as Scenario Role Players in Ranger Training at Lake Berryessa.
CERT teams exist to “fill the gaps” emergency services may have during a disaster response. We’re happy to be a resource, even when needs change.
If you are interested in seeing what ACCERT is all about, please contact info@americancanyoncert.org
Next General Membership Meeting
Monday, June 10th @ 7pm
225 James Rd, Station 211
To learn more about the 'Basic CERT Class' scan the QR Code
www.americancanyoncert.org americancanyoncert
TEXT 94503 TO 888777 TO RECEIVE EMERGENCY ALERTS AND UPDATES AMERICAN CANYON ARE YOU READY? READYNAPACOUNTY.ORG
911 DONALDSON WAY, E AMERICAN CANYON, CA 94503 FACEBOOK COM/AMCANFIRE INSTAGRAM COM/AMCANFIRE AMCANFIRE COM (707) 551-0650 IN AN EMERGENCY DIAL 9-1-1