The year 2009 was an exciting busy year for us. We experience about 1,300 total requests for emergency incidents (average of 3.6 calls per day) which is about the same at 2008. Over 65% of our calls are for medical emergencies and less that 10% of our incidents involve fires. However, fires require more resources both in staff and equipment than the medical emergencies and we need to be ready to respond to all your emergency needs.
I want to take this opportunity to share information on a couple of groups of volunteers that operate independently from the Fire District but support our mission.
The Penn Valley Firefighter’s Association is a group of citizens who meet once per month. This group of volunteers raises funds that are used to assist the Fire District by purchasing safety and medical equipment and by awarding scholarships to deserving students wanting to receive training in the fire service. The main fund raising event is the monthly breakfast held the 3rd Sunday of each month from 7:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the fire station on Spenceville Road. The menu is large and the price is $8.00 for adults, $4.00 for children (3-12) and children under 3 are free. See their page on this web site.
The second association I would like to present is the Penn Valley Fire Department Auxiliary. This group of angels operates the Thrift Shop located behind the fire station on Spenceville Road near the rodeo grounds. Each year the Auxiliary donates proceeds from their operation to the Fire District, with an average donation of $90,000 to $100,000. The District uses these funds to replace apparatus and equipment and to make needed repairs on our fire stations. If you have items (furniture, clothes, toys, sporting equipment, etc.) that are still usable but not needed, donate them to the Thrift Store. Stop by to look at the bargains. Better yet, if you have the time, ask about becoming a member of the Auxiliary and assist at the store. Help is needed and any time you can give is appreciated.
The District, with help from the Penn Valley Rotary Club and the Penn Valley Hi-Graders Lions Club, started a smoke detector program in October of 2005. The program is a huge success and is currently self-funding, using donations from our citizens to purchase smoke detectors and batteries to keep the program going. Contact our office if you are interested.
We also have an excellent Firefighter Intern Program. Students needing experience and training enter the program and, usually within one year, have met the training obligations and are able to look for employment in the fire service. Again, if you are interested in the Intern Program, contact our office.
We have been sharing with you over the past several years that our current income will not support our current level of service. We have made cuts in expenses wherever possible and if we make more cuts it will involve cutting staff and result in the temporary closing (brown out) of a fire station.
The Board has decided that, prior to cutting staff and closing fire stations, we will give our citizens the opportunity to make an adjustment in an existing Special Tax – Rescue. That measure was adopted in 1991 (19 years ago) and intended to providing funding for rescue and emergency medical services. The amount of the special tax was set in 1991 at $47.00 per residence per year without allowing for adjustments. The cost of rescue and emergency medical services has increased dramatically over that same time period.
The Board has called for a Special Mail Ballot election for May 21 of this year. We need an additional $51.00 per residence per year just to be able to maintain staffing levels needed to keep both fire stations open 24/7. We will be taking every opportunity to provide the facts to the public so you can make an informed decision prior to casting your vote.
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or concerns, please contact me at (530) 432-2630 or e-mail me at pvfpd.chief@sbcglobal.net.
Budget Workshop 2009
