Fall Newsletter
Message from the Chief

The 2022 fire season was a welcome break compared to recent years. We experienced no red flag warnings for the first time in 11 years, and the early record-setting rain we received in September helped to bring the Mosquito Fire under containment. Cal Fire is reporting less than 375,000 acres burned this year compared to nearly 2.5 million acres at the same time last year, and our November storm brought welcome precipitation to the region, ending our fire season and allowing us to lift seasonal fire restrictions.

I'm proud to report that our community members have been incredibly engaged with defensible space efforts. Demand for our curbside chipping program nearly doubled compared to last year, and we were able to fund over 50 green waste dumpsters for organized community work days, with residents providing an in-kind match. This resulted in the removal of more than 12,000 cubic yards of flammable biomass. We now have 13 recognized Firewise USA® communities, making homes in those communities eligible for discounts on homeowner's insurance.

With snow on the ground, now is the time to safeguard your home from winter fires. Heating equipment and and improper ash disposal are the leading causes of fires during the fall and winter months. Ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working by testing them monthly. Cool ashes completely before disposing of them (four days or 96 hours is the minimum recommended cooling period). Always plug heating devices directly into a wall outlet and never into a surge protector, and keep three-feet clearance from anything combustible. Stay warm with safety in mind this season!
Funding Partnerships
North Tahoe Fire is honored to partner with agencies that support district operations through a variety of funding opportunities.
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Truckee Tahoe Airport Logo-Vertical
North Tahoe Fire is the proud recipient of equipment funded by two organizations that will help the agency expand its fleet of cardiac care equipment. A total of five Mechanical Chest Compression Devices are being funded for the district, made possible through Agency Partnership funding approved by the Truckee Tahoe Airport District, and a benevolent contribution from the Gary Sinise Foundation. Read the full press release here. A video demonstrating the equipment can be viewed below.
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Forest Futures Logo
North Tahoe Fire received funding from the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) to fund the Wildfire Prevention Workforce Development Project. The pilot project leverages the district’s Fire Adapted Communities grant funding for part-time seasonal positions, by filling the financial gap to transition those positions to fully benefited year-round jobs for two years, while providing a career path in Wildfire Prevention. Read the full press release here.
The Power of CPR and Mutual Aid

A survivor of cardiac arrest stopped by last month to thank the crews that provided life-saving care in his time of need.

Engine companies from North Tahoe Fire and North Lake Tahoe Fire (Incline Village, NV) arrived to the scene in under five minutes; within 30 seconds of one another.

Only 46% of bystanders are prepared to perform CPR, and chances of survival decrease 10% per minute prior to defibrillation without CPR. Fortunately, in this case CPR was already in progress. Immediate CPR can double and even triple the chances of survival (cardiac arrests outside of a hospital setting have a survival rate of less than 10%).

Firefighter/Paramedics assumed care and provided Advances Life Support care, including defibrillation until the return of spontaneous circulation. Both agencies were on the scene for 28 minutes, and a North Tahoe Firefighter/Paramedic continued care on the North Lake Tahoe ambulance during the 18 minute transport to the hospital.

Firefighters oftentimes never know the outcome of a call, and to learn of such an incredible outcome for this patient was the best news they could receive. The patient and his wife brought a basket of goodies along with big hugs for each engine company that responded to the call.

Thanks to a funding partnership with the Truckee Tahoe Airport District, North Tahoe Fire received assistance to stock the same life-saving equipment used on this incident on all of its engines.
Prescribed Burning and Pile Burning Continue at Lake Tahoe
The Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (TFFT) will continue prescribed fire operations this month in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Conditions and weather permitting, California State Parks, Nevada Division of Forestry, North Lake Tahoe, and Tahoe Douglas fire protection districts will be burning piles in several locations around Lake Tahoe.

On the north and west shores, pile burning will be conducted this month at NTPUD's Gentry Property, the North Tahoe Regional Park, Dollar Creek, Burton Creek State Park, adjacent to Granlibakken, and at Sugar Pine Point State Park. Smoke will be present. A map with project details is available for viewing at Tahoe Living With Fire.
If you'd like to Adopt a Hydrant to keep clear of snow, sign up today!
Pack 734 Visits Station 51
Firefighters had the opportunity to host a tour with Cub Scout Pack 734. The Scouts had recently returned from a campout with families north of Truckee.

The Pack meeting brought all of the Cub Scout dens (grade specific) together. This meeting of first through fifth graders provided the opportunity for the Scouts to see a demonstration of tools, and tour the station, fire engines and ambulances. Our fire captain discussed many of the ways our firefighters provide aid to people when they are in need, helping the pack members to build confidence, and strengthening their willingness to help others.
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Veterans Day 
Honoring All Who Served
Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a day to celebrate and honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

We honor our Veterans today and every day.
The holiday season is upon us and The US Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation for the Tahoe-Truckee Region needs your help in the collection of new toys!  North Tahoe Fire is hosting a Toys for Tots collection box at Station 51, 222 Fairway Drive, Tahoe City until December 14th. Please stop in and drop off your new unwrapped toy!  All the toys and money received will stay in our area.