Yuba Watershed Protection & Fire Safe Council, US

The Penn Valley Fire Protection District ( PVFPD ) was officially formed in 1974 succeeding the Penn Valley Volunteer Fire Department. The District serves 92 square miles in Western Nevada County, including the Penn Valley, Lake Wildwood, Kentucky Flat, Mooney Flat and Big Oak areas. The District is governed by a five member Board of Directors elected by the citizens of the District. Fire administration consists of a Fire Chief, one Battalion Chief and an office manager. The District employs nine full time career fire personnel and relies on part time firefighters to augment the full time staff. We also have several paid call firefighters to assist on major or multiple incidents. We have an active and successful Firefighter Intern Program for students considering a career in the Fire Service. The Interns are required to spend 72 hours per month at the fire stations, participating in emergency responses, training and other station activities. The PVFPD also has a Fire Explorer Program for young people interested in learning about the Fire Service. The District operates three fire stations, two of which are currently staffed twenty-four hours a day with a minimum of two personnel. The third station relies on off-duty personnel for staffing. Apparatus includes two front line fire engines, two reserve fire engines, two front line ambulances, one reserve ambulance, one water tender, two staff vehicles and one utility vehicle. Penn Valley Fire Protection District is the only fire agency in Western Nevada County that provides Advanced Life Support ( ALS ) Paramedics and an ambulance service. Each staffed station has one fire engine and one ambulance with the necessary equipment to deliver ALS to our citizens. The Penn Valley Fire Department Auxiliary operates the Thrift Shop behind the fire station at Spenceville Road and Penn Valley Drive. All members are volunteers and this organization donates the proceeds to 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, using funds from the Auxiliary, the District purchased a replacement ambulance. The Penn Valley Firefighter's Association is an organization whose mission is to support the operation of Fire District. The main activity of this group is putting on the monthly breakfast ( the 3rd Sunday of each month ) at the meeting room of the fire station at Spenceville Road and Penn Valley Drive. Proceeds are used to purchase equipment and provide scholarships to fire personnel pursuing a career in the fire service.