Chief's Desk

The View from the Chief’s Desk

The district’s response area is 92 square miles, plus Rough and Ready’s an additional seven square miles, approximately 16,000 people with a total assessed value we protect is nearly $2.3 billion dollars. We operate out of three full-time staffed fire stations and one reserve fire station. 

Staffing consists of a full complement of highly trained firefighters, paramedics, and Battalion Chiefs, to staff three station 24/7. Daily staffing consists of seven personnel on duty, two at each station plus a duty officer, rotating three shifts: A, B and C throughout the week. If you see a third person on the crew, they are likely a firefighter intern who has graduated from a fire academy and is putting those skills to work on the job training for a small daily stipend.

Fire Chief, Finance Manager, and the part-time Board Clerk work in the District Office. Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. My office hours vary depending on meetings and out of the office duties.

 

Fire Fighter Intern Program

We have an active and successful Firefighter Intern Program for students considering a career in Fire Service. The Interns are required to spend 56 hours per week at the fire stations, participating in emergency responses, training, and other station activities. We appreciated the opportunity to help next generation of firefighters to protect Penn Valley and Rough and Read.

 

Advance Life Support (ALS)

We are the only fire agency in western Nevada County that provides Advanced Life Support Paramedics and an ambulance transport service. Each staffed station has one fire engine and an ambulance with the necessary equipment and personnel to deliver ALS to our citizens.

 

Penn Valley Fire Department Auxiliary Thrift Shop

Penn Valley Fire Department Auxiliary operates the Thrift Shop behind the fire station on Spenceville Road and Penn Valley Drive. The Thrift Shop is run by an all-star all-volunteer team. The Thrift Shop donates the proceeds to the Fire District to assist in purchasing needed equipment and apparatus. Each year this group of angels contributes approximately $90,000 to the district. In 2007 the district was able to purchase a new ambulance from their generous donations. Soon Penn Valley Fire will have a new fire engine, thanks to the Thrift Shop.

 

If you have any questions I can be reached at the district office 530-432-2630 or e-mail, [email protected].

Don Wagner
Fire Chief