Fire Fighter News - December 2011

BODEGA BAY FIRE

Safety Tips

The District wishes everyone a safe holiday season. Be careful placing your decorations and make sure all decorations are UL listed.  Please take a few minutes to walk outside your home and make sure that you can see your address. If you cannot see it-neither can we. The numbers must be a different color from the material upon which they are mounted.

Measure B

We are very happy to report that Measure B passed with 80% of the vote. This outstanding support reaffirms your support of the services we provide. Thank you.

Promotions

We are pleased to announce that Firefighter Paramedic David Bynum was promoted to Captain. This promotion means we are fully staffed with permanent Captains for our three crews. We have three crews of three Firefighter/EMT’s, three Firefighter/Paramedics, and three Captains to cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Captain Bynum is our first paramedic Fire Officer in many years. The three Captains report to the Chief.

We are also pleased to announce the promotion of Louis Storzinger from part-time firefighter to full-time firefighter. Lou will report to duty on A-Shift in mid- December.

Web Site

Our website has undergone a complete transformation. Check us out at our new address: www.bbfpd.org Let us know what you think.

Toy Drive

We are collecting unwrapped toys until December 18th.

FORESTVILLE FIRE

New Fire Chief

On November 9th, Forestville Fire Protection District Board of Directors President Erne Ballinger announced the appointment of Forestville Fire Captain Max Ming to the Forestville Fire District Fire Chief position. He will start December 1st. Under a cost saving Shared Fire Chief Agreement, Chief Ming will also serve as Fire Chief of the Russian River Fire Protection District.

Prior to his appointment as the Fire Chief of Forestville, Ming served as a Captain for the District for 12 years and has served the District in a variety of roles for over 27 years including time as a Volunteer Firefighter. He is a graduate of El Molino High School, has a Certificate of Completion in Fire Science from the Santa Rosa Junior College and is a California Certified Fire Officer.  He lives with his two children in Forestville and is active in El Molino Project Grad and the El Molino Little League.

Both districts are excited to welcome Chief Ming to the position of Fire Chief. He has shown outstanding dedication and experience for the position, and both Districts are confident he will lead them to new heights as he serves the communities.

Ming takes over the post from Forestville Fire Chief Dan Northern, who will resume his Volunteer position with the District and assist Chief Ming in the transition. Northern has been Forestville’s Fire Chief for the last 3.5 years of his 38-year fire service career.

Chief Ming will be officially sworn in at a regular Forestville Fire Protection District Board Meeting on December 13, 2011 at 6 pm.  The public is welcome to attend.

Toy Drive

The 2011 Christmas Toy Drive is off to a bit of a slow start.  As a reminder the Forestville Firefighters  Association will be collecting toys for the Holidays again this year. Donations will go to the Forestville Giving Tree Program, Methodist Church as well as the Toys for Tots program. Your new and unwrapped gifts may be dropped off at the Forestville Fire Station up to December 23rd. Recalled or used toys cannot be accepted.

GRATON FIRE

Graton Fire Christmas Tree Farm: Thu-Sun 9-5

The station is done and we have thousands of trees for you to consider including pre-cut Noble & Nordman firs from a sustainable tree farm in Oregon (they are even shipped and kept in water to extend their lives). With over 5 acres of pine, fir, and spruce trees, we have lots for you to choose.  The tree farm is open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Choose-n-Cut Trees are being sold by height, regardless of the type of tree.  Pull saws and measuring sticks are available as well as help to cut, carry, trim, and net your tree.  There are fire helmets and badges for the kids. 

Did you sponsor a seedling last year? Come see how it has grown in our nursery. If you have further questions, please call the firehouse, 322-2091.  Thank you for supporting the Graton Firefighters and helping oxygenate
our community.

Toy Drive Deadline is 12/16

Our annual toy drive continues through Friday, December 16th.  Each year, Graton volunteer firefighters work with Oak Grove School and local charities to determine needy families in our district.  This holiday season, we are collecting new, unwrapped toys for over 30 children up to age 12.  We will also accept cash donations, wrapping paper, tape... whatever you can spare.  Items can be dropped off at:

• Graton Post Office

• Graton Christmas Tree Farm
(Thu-Sun, 9-5)

• Andy’s Produce Market

Thank you to everyone who donated last year and helped make another family’s Christmas a reality.  We look forward to your support again this year.  Questions?  Call 823-8400 x120.

RUSSIAN RIVER FIRE

Bucket Brigade Blood Drive

The Russian River Fire District will be hosting its annual Bucket Brigade Blood Drive on December 13th, 3-7 p.m. at St. Hubert’s Hall, just behind the fire station in Guerneville. We hope you’ll consider donating and supporting us in this annual competition among various Sonoma County fire agencies. If you’re not able to attend the drive on the 13th, you can go to Blood Bank of the Redwoods and mention Russian River Fire and it will be counted.

The next meeting of the Board of Directors will be on December 19th at 6 p.m. at the fire station.

For more info visit us on line at www.russianriverfire.org.