Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District

Time to take down your Xmas tree?A dry tree is highly flammable and potentially dangerous. Now that the holiday is over, we recommend taking down your tree and properly disposing of it. GreenWaste customers can leave their evergreen tree curbside on your regular collection day for free recycling until January 22, 2021. Please remove tinsel, decorations and tree stand. No flocked trees accepted. Trees must be six feet in length or less - so please cut your tree to size. For residents who are not GreenWaste customers, Christmas trees may be taken to the Buena Vista Landfill at 1231 Buena Vista Drive in Watsonville.

Merry Xmas from Stormy the Golden Retriever! Thank you to Michael Hushaw & Family for sharing this wonderful photo! Ñ... ¡Feliz Navidad de parte de Stormy the Golden Retriever! ¡Gracias a Michael Hushaw & Family por compartir esta maravillosa foto!

Did you know? The top three days of the year for home candle fires are Christmas, New Year’s Day, and New Year's Eve. Aptos/La Selva and Central Fire would like to remind everyone to be fire safe during this holiday season. Some fire safety tips include: Make sure that you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home!... Keep candles away from flammable materials and never leave a burning candle unattended. Consider using battery-operated flameless candles. Extinguish candles when you go to sleep or leave the house. Do not overload electric circuits. They can overheat and cause a fire. Do not leave holiday meals cooking unattended.

We know your holiday celebrations may look a little different this year, but we hope this video brings a smile to those who watch it! From our family to yours, we wish you a safe, healthy and happy holiday season.

We at Aptos/La Selva Fire District would like to wish you and your families a very safe and happy holiday season! Our Administrative and CRR offices will be closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We invite you to visit us on the web at AptosFire.com for any general safety or fire prevention needs. Thank you!

Last week, your Aptos/La Selva and Central Firefighters responded to the Ranchitos Del Sol area when a resident reported that her neighbor's house was on fire, and when they arrived, firefighters saw flames and smoke coming from the house. Firefighters made an aggressive attack on the fire as Engine Companies from Watsonville Fire Department and CAL FIRE arrived on scene. The collapse of the roof made the interior of the home unsafe for firefighters to continue indoors. The fire was contained to the kitchen and extinguished, but because of heat and smoke damage, the home was determined to be uninhabitable, leaving three family members displaced. The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen, but the exact cause is still under investigation.

Aptos/La Selva Fire District & Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County are Consolidating! What is Consolidation and what does it mean to my family and my community? Consolidation means a new Fire District is formed, encompassing the boundaries of the two former districts. A new Board of Directors is seated, preserving local control and oversight. All assets such as Fire Stations, Equipment, and Fund Balances are transferred to the new District ensuring uninterrupted se...rvice. All Firefighters and other personnel are transferred to the new District. There will be no layoffs and no loss of rank, seniority, pay, or other benefits. The same Firefighters will still respond to your 911 calls. All obligations of the two existing Districts, including labor and employment contracts, must be honored by the new District. You can also visit our websites at: www.aptosfire.com and www.centralfpd.com to see info on upcoming & past meetings, news and studies regarding the consolidation process. Ñ Aptos/La Selva Fire Distrito y Central Fire Distrito del Condado de Santa Cruz Se está Consolidando ¿Qué es la Consolidación y qué significa para mi familia y mi comunidad? Consolidación significa que se forma un nuevo Distrito de Bomberos, que abarca los límites de los dos distritos anteriores. Se asienta una nueva Junta Directiva, preservando el control y la supervisión locales. Todos los bienes, como las estaciones de bomberos, el equipo y los saldos de fondos, se transfieren al nuevo Distrito, lo que garantiza un servicio ininterrumpido. Todos los bomberos y demás personal son transferidos al nuevo Distrito. No habrá despidos ni pérdida de rango, antigüedad, sueldo u otros beneficios. Los mismos bomberos seguirán respondiendo a tus llamadas de 911. Todas las obligaciones de los dos Distritos existentes, incluidos los contratos laborales y empleo, deben ser respetadas por el nuevo Distrito. También puede visitar nuestros sitios web en: www.aptosfire.com y www.centralfpd.com para ver información sobre reuniones futuras y anteriores, noticias y estudios sobre el proceso de consolidación.

Want to try a new recipe? We have an online cookbook available with recipes from Aptos/La Selva and Central firefighters, admin staff, spouses and alumni. Check out the recipe below for Steve-O’s Steak & 2 Veg, from retired firefighter Steve Vratny! The entire cookbook can be viewed/downloaded on our website, AptosFire.com. Enjoy! Steve-O’s Steak & 2 Veg... Ingredients 1/3 Tri-tip steak 1 Small red onion Bell pepper, yellow or red 1 Zucchini 1/3 cup white rice Olive oil Dry meat seasoning Steps 1) Chop the red onion finely. 2) Slice meat into thin, bite size pieces. 3) Combine the meat and onion with 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan on the stovetop on high heat. (I prefer cast iron for this) Season the meat with your favorite dry seasoning. (I like sweet mesquite seasoning). 4) Start the rice boiling separately (2/1 water to rice ratio). 5) Chop the Bell pepper and Zucchini. 6) Once the meat and onions are browned a little, add the other vegetables. Or, if the rice is done, you can add the rice first. Either way, the rice will become dirty rice from the meat juice. Sometimes, there’s some liquid from the vegetables, the rice will absorb this. 7) Stir in the vegetables. Don’t cook too long, just enough so that the vegetables stay crisp. 8) Turn off stove, serve and enjoy! photo by: @slvsteve

Santa Cruz has been upgraded to a High Surf Advisory until 9 pm this evening. Never turn your back on the ocean. Sneaker waves and large breaking waves can sweep people off jetties and docks, and into dangerous seas. Life-threatening swimming conditions can be expected. Cold water rescues or drownings are more likely with these waves and stronger rip currents. Extreme vigilance is advised. #SantaCruzSurf #SurfAdvisory

Register today for the Capitola Halloween Car Cruise - a free and spooktacular, socially distanced, family-friendly Halloween event Decorate your car, dress in costume...all participants will remain socially distanced within their own car. Cruise will begin at 2pm Capitola Mall, and will cruise to Capitola Village ending at the Capitola Recreation & Community Center at Jade Street Park with a drive-through treat bag pick up. Details here

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Cruz County (LAFCO) will hold a protest hearing regarding the fire consolidation approved by LAFCO on November 4, 2020. The proposed terms and conditions for the proposal are set forth in the LAFCO Resolution No. 2020-30. Central & Aptos/La Selva Fire Consolidation (LAFCO Project No. DC 20-02): The consolidation involves two fire districts and encompasses ap...proximately 55 square miles. The proposal area is located east of the City of Santa Cruz, west of Watsonville’s city limits, and includes the City of Capitola. If recorded, the consolidation will preserve the current levels of service, maintain local demand expectations, and continue existing funding sources. This Notice and all related documents (staff report, resolution, maps, etc.) are available on the LAFCO website Santacruzlafco.org/notices/. If you have issues accessing information on the LAFCO website, please contact LAFCO at 831-454-2055. Protest Hearing Format Due to COVID-19, this meeting will be conducted as a teleconference pursuant to the provisions of the Governor’s Executive Orders N-25-20 and N-29-20, which suspend certain requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act. Members of the public are encouraged to observe the shelter-in-place order and participate remotely. Instructions to participate remotely are available in the January 6th Agenda and Agenda Packet, which are available on the LAFCO website, Santacruzlafco.org/notices/.

Today is National First Responders Day Your Aptos/La Selva firefighters feel proud to serve alongside so many dedicated professionals out there. Thank you to all of our fellow first responders. We work with some of the best and we're honored to serve alongside you all. photo: SLV Steve

Many traditional Halloween activities such as trick-or-treating, can be high-risk for spreading COVID-19. There are several safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween. Here are some local, socially-distanced Halloween events happening around Santa Cruz

As you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly. Here are five tips to keep in mind: 1 When purchasing a live tree, choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. 2 Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2 from the base of the trunk. Be sure to add water to your tree daily! ... 3 Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights. 4 Always turn off Christmas tree lights, as well as outdoor lights, before leaving home or going to bed. 5 Inspect all lights and extension cords for damage before using and avoid overloading electrical outlets.

Find Out How to Protect Your Home and Community from Wildfire The Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County, in collaboration with Cabrillo College Extension, is hosting an online class on How to Protect Our Homes and Communities from Wildfires. This 2-part series begins via Zoom on November 14, and continues November 21st, from 10-11:30 AM. Learn about what you, your landscaper and remodel crews can do to help your house save itself during a major wildfire,... as well as how to make your region a FireWise community. Course enrollment is $65, with a discount offered to those who bring a friend. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Fire Safe Santa Cruz County. For more info on class registration, visit: https://bit.ly/31mFvUz You can also view additional home/fire safety presentations on the Fire Safe Council’s website, at: https://bit.ly/37qNWCi

Due to COVID-19 concerns, Santa Cruz County Toys for Tots will have no in-person drop off sites for the first time in its history. However, you can still purchase a toy online for a child in need. Visit: SantaCruzCounty.ToysForTots.org Note: Collection deadline is December 7th!

Good morning from Tower 72! Your Aptos and Central Fire crews have been training this week at the Capitola Mall with Tower 72 and its over-the-cliff rigging system. After a few more tests, this truck which is less than a year old, will be ready for service! #105FtHigh #AptosFire #CentralFire #Tower72

On Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., the Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Cruz County will hold their regular meeting, which will include a Public Hearing to discuss the proposed consolidation between Aptos/La Selva and Central Fire Protection Districts. The agenda packet for this Commission Meeting is now available on LAFCO's website, which includes instructions for attending the meeting via internet or conference call, submitting public comments via email..., and other key details. For those wishing to speak during the online meeting, you must inform LAFCO staff of this request prior to the start of the meeting. If that has occurred, and after being recognized by the Chair, the identified individual will be unmuted and given up to 3 minutes to speak. Following those 3 minutes, their microphone will be muted. Below you will find links to the fire consolidation staff report regarding the consolidation, as well as the entire agenda packet. Fire Consolidation Staff Report - https://www.santacruzlafco.org//5a.0-Fire-Consolidation-St LAFCO Agenda (with hyperlinks to each staff report and attachment) https://www.santacruzlafco.org///11-4-20-Agenda-Packet.pdf LAFCO Agenda Packet (all staff reports and attachments in one PDF; there may be a delay in downloading due to its size) https://www.santacruzlafco.org//FULL-Agenda-Packet-11-4-20 For questions regarding this meeting, contact LAFCO Executive Officer Joe Serrano at [email protected], or (831) 454-2055. For other inquiries regarding the plan for District Consolidation, you can email [email protected] or leave a message on our Consolidation Info hotline at 831-316-3600.

Memorial Services were held yesterday for San Francisco Fire Department Firefighter, Jason Cortez. It was a beautiful tribute. Thank you again for your service.

Bird’s the word! Check out these California condors sitting on the PG&E wildfire alert camera today. Fun fact: The California condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world! Condors can soar and glide for hours without beating their wings. Sadly, they’re an endangered species. To view the PG&E camera for wildfire, visit www.ALERTwildfire.org/centralcoast