Scott Valley Fire

Yesterday’s morning view at the Lava Fire.

Scott Valley Fire got the call to help battle the Lava Fire and quickly jumped into action. Benny Austin and Lloyd Pearson are on the water tenders. Capt. Nick Kraus, Dustin Wailes and April Hicks are on the red engine. Pat Castello and Dave Donahue are on the white engine. Let’s Go!!!!

Asst. Chief Poling, Capt. Frick and Beni conducted a pump test today along with Etna Fire Dept and Fort Jones Fire Dept.

Scott Valley Fire would love to have you join the team!!! No experience necessary, training provided. If interested or if you would like more info, send us a message & one of our Captains will contact you.

Scott Valley Fire thanks all paramedics, EMTs and the EMS workforce for their commitment, sacrifices and important service to the community. Happy EMS Week!!

Today at 2:30pm, Scott Valley Fire units and other Fire Depts were dispatched to a lightning fire, a result of yesterday’s storm, at the north end of Chaparral Hill near Fort Jones, CA. One fire crew walked in to the fire while others staged. When the crew arrived at the fire it reported it as 15 by 20 feet with a slow rate of spread. Scanner traffic indicates the crew currently has the fire well in hand. - Photos & report from our friend, Mel Fetter

Hose disconnect and reconnect challenge. April Hicks and Capt. Josh Frick were the champs!

The role of a firefighter in today’s society be it urban, rural, natural environment, volunteer, career, industrial, defence force, aviation, motor sport, or other is one of dedication, commitment and sacrifice no matter what country we reside and work in. In the fire service we fight together against one common enemy fire no matter what country we come from, what uniform we wear or what language we speak. Lt JJ Edmondson, 1999

The Scott Valley Multi-Agency, Mass Casualty Incident [MCI] drill at the Scott Valley Airport was held on April 24th. Our friend, Mel Fechter, shared his wonderful photos. Participants in the MCI drill included Scott Valley Fire, Fort Jones Fire, Etna Fire, CAL FIRE, Etna Ambulance and the Etna/Fort Jones Police Department. Talk about TEAMWORK!!! The training consisted of three different scenarios. Scenario (1) involved a single engine aircraft collision with a vehicle, with a fuel spill. Scenario (2) involved a single engine aircraft crash with a fuel spill, fire and possible missing occupants. Scenario (3) involved a single engine aircraft crash with minor damage, a fuel spill, unknown substance spill, fire and missing occupants. Thank you Mel for sharing your report of the drill & photos!

"I’d like to echo former Assistant Chief Scott Frick who is once again serving as a board member by saying that certain individuals, certain families, just seem to have volunteering DNA. They’re the ones who hold the Valley together, year after year, decade after decade. We know there are more of you out there! We need you and will warmly welcome you into the Scott Valley Fire family. A heartfelt thank you to our current and past volunteer members and to those of you who just might be ready to step up!" - Administrative Officer, Nancy Appling Salucci

Important News Release from the CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit!! Residential burn permits are required effective 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2021 for any type of open burning within State Responsibility Areas of Siskiyou County. Please visit CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit for more information.

"When I speak to people about volunteering, often folks tell me about their life and how "busy" they are. Every volunteer I know has a family, or a business, or a full time job, or combinations thereof. It is a commitment to volunteer for sure, but it's a commitment to better our community as a whole. The public assumes when they have an emergency that some one will show up, well in Scott Valley, that someone is your neighbor who volunteers!! Josh and Dustin have completed their classes, and are having finals this week for EMR Certification. Dustin is Asst. MGR at Raley's Yreka, and Josh owns Sweet Country Kettle corn. They are busy, yet still find time to VOLUNTEER!" - Commissioner, Scott Frick

This afternoon, Scott Valley Fire joined many other Siskiyou County Fire dept engines at the procession of Morgan Sisk, a former Firefighter for Montague Fire Dept & Shastina Fire Dept. Morgan also served in the Marines and after returning to Montague was tragically killed in an accident. Captain Josh Frick, Asst. Chief Steve Poling and Firefighter Dustin Wailes proudly represented Scott Valley Fire. Captain Frick said it was an honor to be there with so many fellow Firefighters.

Mel Fechter shared his photos of Captain Josh Frick and firefighter Dustin Wailes, as they were doing routine inspection and maintenance on a number of SVFPD equipment at the Greenview station.

At a meeting of the Board of Commissioners on January 14, 2021, Josh Frick was appointed by Chief Paul Buchter to the position of Captain of Greenview Station. Frick and his wife Jenn started as Volunteer Firefighters with Etna Fire Dept and Frick soon joined SVFPD, with his father, Scott Frick in 2019. Chief Paul Buchter shared, Josh is an all-around good guy and a second-generation firefighter for the district. He has worked hard staffing Rescue 1540, fighting fire and se...rving the community. Captain Nick Kraus states, Josh is the hardest working firefighter we have and has the most positive attitude. People in the community really like him. Josh and his wife have been married for over 20 years and have a daughter attending Chico State. They own a local kettle corn business as well as an online shopping business. Josh told us, We have always wanted to give back and help support our wonderful community, that’s why we love being part of the Fire Department. We are happy to have Josh Frick advance in his leadership role as the Captain of Greenview Station. See more

At a meeting of the Board of Commissioners on January 14, 2021, Nick Kraus was appointed by Chief Paul Buchter to the position of Captain of Moffett Creek Station. Kraus was recruited by his father, Frederick Kraus who has been a volunteer firefighter since 2006 and after attending a fireman’s muster in McCloud in 2011, he officially joined SVFPD. Kraus recalls, I had a discussion with Fred Williams, and he really encouraged me to join. I had no idea how much the department ...helped the community and made a difference on fires. I remember going out on my first fire and I was completely hooked after that. Kraus and his wife Mari live in Fort Jones and have 4 children and two grandchildren. He’s very busy with his trucking company and helping on the family ranch when he can. I’ve always had a calling to help others and my community. I just hope I can live up to the legacy of Fred Williams. I really admired everything he did and stood for as our Captain, explained Kraus. We are happy to have Nick Kraus advance in his leadership role as the Captain of Moffett Creek Station. See more

Always professional and a true leader, for nearly twenty years Scott Frick served the community of Scott Valley and the fire department in his roles as Volunteer Firefighter, EMT, Captain, Assistant Chief, Acting Chief and Board Member. He retired in November, 2020. But, he did not stay retired from the department for long--two months, actually. He rejoined the Board in January 2021, filling the seat Jay Akerman held for twelve years. James C. Roseman, Vice Chair, said, "Someone of Scott’s vast experience, including his long history with SVFPD, is a welcome addition to the BOC. He is a respected figure not only in the Fire Service arena, but in the community at large as well. The District is very, very fortunate indeed. Welcome back, Commissioner Frick!

At a meeting of the Board of Commissioners on January 14, 2021, Steven M. Poling was appointed by Chief Paul Buchter to the position of Assistant Chief. Poling started firefighting on a Type II hand crew in 1988 in Fresno County. It was the most exciting, rewarding, and fun job I ever had, laughed Poling. Life in general and work as a mechanic, electrician, equipment operator took Poling in different directions after that, but he eventually landed in Scott Valley. He joined... SVFPD in May 2016 to recapture some of that fun and camaraderie he had as a twenty-four-year-old. The Poling family includes fiancé Kim Ritola and between Kim and Steve, they have ten children and thirteen grandchildren. The family lives and ranches part-time on Moffett Creek. I have always enjoyed helping people and my community and want to continue, explained Poling with a smile. And the increasingly busy department is more than happy to have Steve Poling advance in his leadership role as Assistant Chief. **MORE EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENTS TO COME!!** See more

Volunteer Firefighters Needed!! No experience necessary & we will provide free training. Scott Valley Fire volunteers may sometimes have the opportunity to join Cal Fire and United States Forest Service strike teams, fighting fires near and far, and earning good pay!! Message us if you're interested or if you would like more info.