Chief's Message
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Dear residents and community members,
As Fire Chief of the American Canyon Fire District, I am proud to present the May edition of our newsletter. As we head into the warmer months, it is important to remember that the risk of wildfires remains high in our area. We have already seen several small fires in the past few weeks, and it is crucial that we all take steps to prevent fires from starting and spreading.
In this newsletter, we will be sharing important information about fire safety, including tips for creating defensible space around your home, preparing an evacuation plan, and staying informed during a fire. We will also be highlighting some of the ways that our Fire District is working to protect our community, such as through our fire prevention programs and our partnerships with other local agencies.
We hope that you find this newsletter informative and helpful, and we encourage you to share it with your friends and neighbors. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in keeping our community safe.
Sincerely,
Geoff Belyea
Fire Chief, American Canyon Fire Protection District
Follow us on Social Media:
Facebook: Facebook.com/AmCanFire
Instagram: Instagram.com/amcanfire
Click Here for the Monthly Statistical Report for April
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.
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Weed Abatement
With the onset of warmer weather, it’s important for property owners to take steps to prevent the spread of wildfires. One of the most effective ways to do this is through weed abatement, which involves removing or reducing the amount of dry grasses, weeds, and other combustible vegetation around your property.
Weed abatement is important for several reasons. First, it creates a defensible space around your property, which makes it easier for firefighters to protect your home in the event of a wildfire. Second, it helps to prevent the spread of fire to neighboring properties, which can save lives and property. Finally, it can reduce the risk of fines and legal liability in the event that a fire does start on your property.
So, what does weed abatement entail? Generally, it involves mowing or removing dead or dry leaves and pine needles from your yard, roof and rain gutters. Remove branches that hang over your roof and keep dead branches 10 feet away from your chimney.
In addition to weed abatement, it’s also important to take other steps to prevent the spread of wildfires, such as properly disposing of cigarette butts and other flammable materials, and avoiding outdoor burning during periods of high fire danger. By working together, we can all do our part to keep American Canyon safe from the threat of wildfires.
To report a potential weed abatement issue click on the button below.
2022 Annual Report
The American Canyon Fire District is pleased to present our annual report for the year 2022. This report highlights our accomplishments, challenges, and goals for the future. We are proud of the work that we have done to serve our community, and we remain committed to providing the highest level of service possible.
Service Delivery:
In 2022, the American Canyon Fire District responded to 1,968 emergency calls, including structure fires, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, and other incidents.
Training and Education:
Training and education are essential to providing the best possible service to our community. In 2022, our firefighters participated in numerous training sessions, including hazardous materials response, vehicle extrication, and fire suppression. We also conducted community outreach programs, including fire safety presentations, 'Hands Only CPR' and fire extinguisher training to local schools and businesses.
Challenges and Opportunities:
While we are proud of our accomplishments, we recognize that there are always challenges and opportunities for improvement. One of our ongoing challenges is to recruit and retain a diverse and highly trained workforce. We would like to thank to Fire District Board of Directors for supporting the needed addition of personnel within the District and creating opportunities for upward growth.
Looking Ahead:
As we look ahead to the future, we remain committed to providing the highest level of service possible to our community. We are proud of the work that we have done, and we remain committed to serving our the American Canyon community with professionalism, integrity, and dedication.
Sincerely,
Geoff Belyea
Fire Chief
For a full copy of the 2022 American Canyon Fire Protection District please click on the button below.
Fire Chief & Police Chief Invited to
American Canyon High School
 The American Canyon Fire Chief and Police Chief recently had the opportunity to speak to seniors at American Canyon High School about the roles and responsibilities of their respective departments. The presentation was part of the City of American Canyon's High School version of the Citizen's Academy, which is designed to provide students with information about the roles and responsibilities, along with opportunities within each Department of the City and partners.
During the presentation, the Fire Chief discussed the duties of the Fire District, including responding to emergencies such as structure fires, medical emergencies, and vehicle accidents. He also talked about the importance of fire prevention and safety, and shared some tips for students to keep themselves and their families safe at home.
The Police Chief then spoke about the role of the Police Department in maintaining public safety and enforcing laws. He discussed the various units within the police department, such as patrol, investigations, and community services, and talked about some of the challenges that police officers face in their work.
After their individual presentations, the Fire Chief and Police Chief came together to answer questions from the students. The students were engaged and asked a range of thoughtful questions about topics such as recruitment and training, community outreach, and traffic laws.
Overall, the presentation was a valuable opportunity for the students to learn more about the important work that the AmCan Fire District and Police Department do to keep our community safe. We would like to thank American Canyon High School for inviting us to speak, and we look forward to continuing to work together to educate our community about public safety.
Passed Probation!
Home Escape Plan
The American Canyon Fire District is pleased to announce that Firefighters Davis Pratt and Kyle Murchison have successfully completed their 18-month probationary period.
During their probationary period, Pratt and Murchison underwent extensive training and demonstrated a strong commitment to our mission of protecting lives and property. They participated in live fire training exercises, hazardous materials response drills, and vehicle extrication simulations, among other training sessions.
In addition to their training, Pratt and Murchison have shown themselves to be valuable members of our team through their dedication and hard work. They have responded to numerous emergency calls and have demonstrated the professionalism that we expect from all of our firefighters.
We are proud to have Pratt and Murchison as permanent members of our firefighting team, and we look forward to their continued contributions to our organization. We would like to congratulate them on successfully completing their probationary period and wish them all the best in their future careers with the American Canyon Fire District.
We would also like to thank our community for their ongoing support of our organization and our mission. We remain committed to providing the highest level of service possible to our community, and we will continue to invest in our training and education programs to ensure that our firefighters are prepared to respond to any emergency situation.
 Here are some important key points to consider when creating a fire escape plan:
1. Identify all possible exits: Make sure you know all possible ways to exit each room, including windows and doors.
2. Have a designated meeting place: Choose a safe location outside your home where everyone can meet up after evacuating.
3. Assign roles and responsibilities: Assign each family member a specific role in the escape plan, such as helping younger children or pets.
4. Practice regularly: Conduct fire drills regularly to ensure that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency.
5. Check smoke detectors: Install and maintain smoke detectors in every room and ensure they are in good working order.
6. Plan for special needs: If someone in your household has special needs, plan for their specific requirements.
7. Stay low to the ground: Teach everyone to stay low to the ground if there is smoke in the air.
8. Call for help: Once you are safely outside, call 9-1-1.
Remember that every home is unique, so it's important to tailor your fire escape plan to your specific situation. Be sure to practice your plan regularly to ensure that everyone in your household knows what to do in case of a fire emergency.
Fire Explorer Program
 For the month of April the Fire Explorers focused on water supply and hydrant conntections. They also learned how to pull 'attack lines' (also known as crosslays) and flowing water to a simulated fire.
This real life training was conducted at the Station 211 training tower after watching training videos and classroom lecture by the Explorer advisors.
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. However, new explorers will be introduced every six months until the maximum amount of 12 explorers is reached. After submission of an application, explorer candidates will be notified for an oral interview before being accepted into the program.
To apply visit: www.amcanfire.com and visit the ‘Fire Explorer’ page.
 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.
Meet ACCERT
The next Fire District Board meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 23rd at
6:30 PM. The agenda will be posted on our web site.
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