October 2019 Fire District Newsletter

City of American Canyon, California sent this bulletin at 11/13/2019 05:19 PM PST

October 2019

Message from the Chief
The month of October 2019 was a month that I will not soon forget. WOW and THANK YOU are the words that come to mind. Thank you to our ACCERT for your exceptional and dedicated service to the community during the power shut-off that impacted the entire city for almost four days. Thank you to all of the staff of the department for all of your continued dedication and great service to the community. The report that follows provides detail of the busiest month in the history of this fire department.

Glen E. Weeks
Fire Chief

Monthly Statistical Report - October 2019

Notable Incidents:
"American Fire” (Vegetation), Incident # 1351
On Sunday, October 6^th, at approximately 3:19 pm District units responded to a grass fire in the hills east of the District/City of American Canyon. A Unified Command was established by Cal Fire, ACFD and ACPD. Ground and air firefighting resources aggressively worked on containing the fire. The following resources were assigned:

15 Engines
4 Water Tenders
1 Helicopter
6 air tankers
2 Hand Crews
2 Dozers

Agencies assisting with the fire were: CAL Fire/Napa County Fire, Vallejo Fire, American Canyon Fire, Napa City Fire, Cordelia Fire, American Canyon Police Department and Napa County Sheriff. The fire burned 526 acres. There were no injuries. There was minor property damage in the city caused by wind-blown embers and fire retardant dropped from air tankers.

Structure Fire, Incident # 1438
On October 26^th, at 20:00 hours, District units responded to a residential structure fire located at 244 American Canyon Road. Due to the District being up-staffed for the impending PG&E PSPS event, no mutual aid resources were needed to assist with this working structure fire. Olympia Incident Command was established and offensive firefighting tactics were performed by District firefighters. The fire was contained to a rear bedroom and extinguished; however, the home is most likely a total loss due to significant smoke damage throughout. The residents were not home at the time of the incident and there were no injuries.

Kincade Fire
On Thursday, October 24th, District personnel and equipment were requested to respond to a major vegetation fire in Sonoma County, the “Kincade” Incident. Water Tender 11 with two personnel and Chief 1101 responded. After a week of rigorous work and long hours on the fire line, Water Tender 11 was released and returned to the station on November 2nd. Chief 1101 was assigned as a Line Safety Officer responsible for monitoring and assessing hazardous and unsafe situations and developed measures for assuring personnel safety on the fire line. Chief Lawson was released from the incident on November 7th.

New Employees, Welcome to the Fire District
The District would like to welcome three new recruit firefighters: Francisco Cano, Preston Quick and Spyridon Drossos. They began the Recruit Orientation Academy on October 7th and completed a comprehensive three-week orientation on October 31st. The Orientation Academy was led by Fire Captain Matt Churchman. In November they will be assigned to a “shift” (48 hours on – 96 hours off) and will commence their 18-month firefighter qualification training program. We wish them the best and hope they have long, healthy, and successful careers serving our community!

The American Canyon recruit orientation academy included comprehensive classroom instruction and hands-on training in the latest firefighting techniques and equipment used by the District.

Welcome New Administrative Clerk
The District would like to welcome Sheila Hart to the Public Safety Facility. Sheila is the new Administrative Clerk I for both the Fire District and the Police Department. We wish you the best in your new position!

Thank you Firefighter Cia
The District recognizes Firefighter Mark Cia for 15 years of Service. Firefighter Cia began with the Fire District on 10/06/2004. Thank you for your dedicated service Mark!!

Badge Pinning/Swearing-In Ceremony
On Tuesday, October 29th, the District Board of Directors held a Badge Pinning/Swearing-In Ceremony for new probationary firefighters Francisco Cano, Spyridon Drossos, Donevin Steele, and Preston Quick. Welcome and congratulations to our new firefighters!

Probationary Firefighter Donevin Steele successfully completed his firefighter qualification program Module 1 test on October 3rd. There are four (4) modules that require successful completion during each firefighters first eighteen (18) months.

Public Events
Donaldson Way Elementary Annual Harvest Festival took place on October 23rd. Pictured to the left is Firefighter O’Shaughnessy.

Station 11 was busy on October 31st passing out candy to our local youth community.

Update on New Fire Engine
During the week of October 14th, District Apparatus Committee members traveled to Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin to perform a final inspection of our new fire engine. We anticipate delivery of the apparatus before the end of November.