December 2022

Chief's Message

Happy Holiday Season! 2022 has brought several changes to the American Canyon Fire Protection District, including my honor of now serving as your Fire Chief for the last six months. As we close the year I wanted to recap a few of our highlights.

Retirement of Chief Michael Cahill

Board Approval to purchase two new Type 1 Fire Engines

Hiring of Probation Firefighters: Conner Alexander, Eric Hanson, Sarah Bayersdorfer & Christopher Heim

In-House Academy Completion, led by Captain Kenny Diede

Retirement of Captain Josh Corderio

5 Years’ Service Awards: EJ Abalos & Rob Rojas

September 11^th Ceremony

15 Years’ Service Award: Martha Banuelos

Completion and Adoption of Master Plan

Retirement of Interim Assistant Chief James Comisky II

Hiring of Assistant Chief Cliff Campbell

Over 50 Public Education Events

Over 1000 Community Members Educated in Hands Only CPR

Public Safety Open House Event – Including a Quiet Hour for the Special Needs Community

1000 Trick or Treaters at Station 11

Board Approval of establishing a classification of Battalion Chief

Officers Training and Team Building with Retired Battalion Chief Anthony Kastros

While this is only a fraction of the non-emergency activities and business conducted within the Fire District on a daily basis we are working continuously to make American Canyon a safe place to live and work.

I am proud of our District personnel. Their dedication, professionalism and commitment to this community. I am grateful to the District Board for their continued support and as we approach 2023 we anticipate more growth and the opportunity to serve.

Wishing you all a Happy and Safe Holiday Season,

Geoff Belyea

Fire Chief

Follow us on Social Media: 

Facebook: Facebook.com/AmCanFire 

Instagram: Instagram.com/amcanfire

Click Here for the Monthly Statistical Report for November

CPR Training  Are you CPR Trained? Would you like to be?  The American Heart Association hosts online CPR/AED classes to provide basic life support training.  Visit: AHA CPR/AED Training to find class near you.

Leadership Training

'The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them.' - John Maxwell

On November 7th and 8th, a District-wide, all personnel, trainings were held to enhance leadership abilities, strengthen communication skills and solidify teamworking talent. These crucial skills are not only used on the fire ground, but in everyday interactions with each other and the community we serve.

Thank you to (Retired) Battalion Chief Anthony Kastros for your time, talent and skill in furthering our skill sets. 

Thank you to Vallejo Fire for allowing us to keep the highest level to our citizens while training as an entire department. 

Napa Sheriff's Office SWAT/AmCan Fire/CAL Fire

Joint Rescue Task Force Training

The week of November 14th, Napa SO's SWAT Team, American Canyon Fire Protection District, and CAL Fire personnel conducted a joint training at a vacant school to practice rescuing patients from an active shooter scenario. 

While this is a worst case situation, we work with our Law Enforcement partners to ensure we are trained to bring the highest level of care, even in the scariest of situations. 

Thank you to Napa County SWAT team members and CAL Fire for holding this and future trainings to keep our skills sharp. 

Swearing In / Badge Pinning

'Why is a badge pinning ceremony so significant?' 

We asked Chief Belyea to explain to our community why this ceremony is so important: 

'A Firefighter's badge is a symbol of public trust. Unfettered access to their most personnel space, sometimes in the scariest moment of their life. It is crucial that we hold this trust not only to the highest ethical standard, but sacred. 

A constant sense of duty is felt by all in a Firefighter's life. That is why choosing someone to pin your badge is a way of saying thank you. Thank you for the support. For standing by me. For understanding. For being my example.' 

Chief Belyea was honored to introduce each of our five new members family members that pinned their badges: (From left to right) 

Probationary Firefighter Christopher Heim being pinned by his mother, Tina Heim.

Probationary Firefighter Sarah Bayersdorfer being pinned by her boyfriend, Jack Ryan. 

Probationary Firefighter/Paramedic Conner Alexander being pinned by his wife,  Sydne Alexander. 

Probationary Firefighter/Paramedic Eric Hanson being pinned by his father, Dan Hanson. 

Assistant Chief Cliff Campbell being pinned by daughter, Natalie, accompanied by his wife of 27 years, Nancy and granddaughter, Evelyn Rose. 

Mascot Marshal

F. Marshal, known around the station as 'Marshal' was officially sworn in as 'M1', AmCanFire's official Mascot. Marshal has completed his interviews, academy training, station chores and community engagement. His badge was pinned by our Public Information Officer (and his handler) Laura Provencher. His best friend, Lobo, from AmCan PD was in attendance.

What is CERT? 

Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) is a nationally recognized emergency training course that teaches essential emergency response skills. By taking and completing the CERT course you will gain the skills and confidence necessary to help yourself, your family, and your community during a disaster.

Recent ACCERT Highlights 

On a cold and wet Sunday, December 4th, ACCERT participated in a Search and Rescue Training at Lake Berryessa. 

The team was able to locate the 'victim' with a broken leg. The team packaged the 'victim' up and transported back to the command post. 

• CERT Basic Classes

  • Pending community feedback, additional classes may be scheduled locally here in American Canyon or at Napa Valley College. Email NapaCERT@aol.com to express interest in taking a class.
• To learn more about ACCERT visit our web site at http://www.americancanyoncert.org/ or Follow us on Facebook here.

Upcoming Fire District Board Meeting

The next Fire District Board meeting will take place on Tuesday, January 24th at

6:30 PM. The agenda will be posted on our web site.