Chief Message

In the month of May 2019 a significant step was accomplished related to the future of the American Canyon Fire Protection District in accordance with the Strategic Plan / Master Plan. The District Board of Directors approved moving forward with a land acquisition which will be the future site of a “North” fire station in American Canyon. The evaluation and decision making process to determine the site was based on the most up-to-date available about: what equipment, facilities and activities are expected to be housed in, or associated with the new station, current accepted practices/standards for a new station in terms of footprint, equipment, staffing, etc., existing gaps in response time, considering both demand and desired outcomes for fire and emergency medical services across the entire District, and projections of the various impacts from a new fire station at a given location. A range of available sites were considered. The site determination process was a multi-dimensional evaluation that considered criteria we established such as; impact on response time to other neighborhoods in the areas served, required lot size, environmental impacts, cost (including construction and land acquisition cost), traffic impacts, noise and lights disturbances to neighbors, logistics and access needs for expected equipment, staffing and response activities at the station, collective impacts (related to all factors above) on the community, seismic considerations, access to primary response routes, legal requirements etc. The site at 659 Napa Junction Road meets all of the necessary criteria subsequent to a detailed analysis and will well position the District to continue to provide the community with a high level of services as the community continues to flourish and grow.

Glen W. 
Notable Incident
On Saturday, May 4th, at 11:57 p.m. Engine 11 arrived at the block of Sierra Vista to find a single story residential structure being threatened by a fence fire with possible fire extension into the garage. The house next door was also being threatened by the fence fire. Engine 11’s crew pulled hose for fire attack and established a water supply. Brush 11 arrived at the scene and was assigned fire attack. Brush 11 knocked down the exterior fire and entered the garage where they began to pull the ceiling looking for extension. Fire was found in the attic of the garage and extinguished. Mutual aid was received by Napa County and Vallejo Fire. The occupant safely exited the home. Two dogs were found by Brush 11 and once the fire had been extinguished M-51 arrived on scene and evaluated the two dogs for injuries and administered blow by oxygen to them. They were then released to their owners.  M-51 assisted the occupant back into the home. The extent of the damage occurred on the “D “side of the home to an unattached shelf up against the house. There were no injuries.
Welcome Donevin Steele! 
Welcome new recruit firefighter, Donevin Steele. FF Recruit Steele grew up in Napa and most recently was employed by Napa AMR as a full time Paramedic where he was also a “Field Training Officer” (“FTO”). Donevin completed our comprehensive one month “Recruit Orientation Academy” during the month of May. A huge THANKS goes to Captain Churchman for agreeing to continue on a 40 hour work schedule to once again lead as the primary instructor for the academy. Upon successful completion of the academy Donevin was assigned to a “shift” (48 hours on – 96 hours off) and will commence his 18 month firefighter qualification training program beginning in June. We wish him the best and hope he has a long, healthy and successful career serving the community of American Canyon. His formal badge pinning ceremony is TBA.
Congratulations to the new Fire Explorer EMTs

Congratulations to Fire Explorers Nicolle Polo Malo, Jennifer Rios-Padilla, and Kendi Martinez for completing the Napa Valley College Emergency Medical Technician Program!!! 
Fire Explorers Training!
Fire Explorers were given basic Wildland Fire Instruction by Firefighter Andrew O’Shaughnessy  
Public Education
Students from Canyon Oaks Elementary visited the station on May 22nd and May 23rd
May 22nd the Calvary Baptist Church hosted Firefighter and Police department demonstrations and education for the students. In the photos above, Firefighter Paramedic Chad Pilkington teaches them hands only CPR
In Memory of James Kuhl
James Kuhl was an original member of the American Canyon Community Response Team (ACCERT). Mr. Kuhl passed away in May. On behalf of the community of American Canyon the District would like to send condolences to his family and thank him for his service. 
Napa County Survivor Reunion
The “Napa County EMS Society” sponsored the eighth annual Survivor’s Reunion in celebration of Emergency Medical Service (“EMS”) Week. The reunion brings survivors of cardiac arrest and rescuers together.  Members from the District’s “A Shift” (Captains Medina and Prettyman and Firefighters Barnes and Etchieson) were present to honor a member of the American Canyon community who was recognized at the Survivor’s Reunion. The “A shift” crew provided advanced cardiac life support care during a cardiac arrest event that occurred while the member was at work in American Canyon.