Scotts Valley Fire District

Happy National First Responders Day! We are thankful for all of our fellow first responders and feel honored to serve alongside them. #NationalFirstRespondersDay : SLV Steve

Power outages may occur before and during the threat of a wildfire. It’s important to be prepared and know what actions to take when leaving your home. Along with the pre-evacuation preparation steps, these are a few ways to be ready in case of a power outage during these critical times. https://www.readyforwildfire.org//power-outage-information/

Emergency Supply Kits Put together your emergency supply kit long before a wildfire or other disaster occurs and keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate. Plan to be away from your home for an extended period of time. Each person should have a readily accessible emergency supply kit. Backpacks work great for storing these items (except food and water) and are quick to grab. Storing food and water in a tub or chest on wheels will make it easier to transport. Keep it light enough to be able to lift it into your car. Ensure you plan with COVID-19 in mind.

Evacuation plans for families with young children should include helping toddlers understand how to quickly respond in case of fire, and how adults can escape with babies. It is important to talk to toddlers and small children at a level that they understand and that does not frighten. Seniors and people with disabilities also need special consideration when preparing for a disaster. Check out the form below to fill out with your loved ones.

SMALL VEGETATION FIRE UPDATE 6:08 p.m. - Forward progress has been stopped. Air tankers have been released, while helicopters are continuing to make air drops. Fire crews will be on scene through the night moping up. UPDATE 5:35 p.m. - 1/4 to 1/2 acre. Helicopter is making water drops to support ground crews.... Small vegetation fire in the Timber Ridge area. Scotts Valley Fire, Santa Cruz Fire, and Cal Fire responding and at scene. No evacuation orders at this time.

CREATE A WILDFIRE ACTION PLAN Your Wildfire Action Plan must be prepared, and familiar to all members of your household well in advance of a wildfire. Use the checklist below to help create your plan. Each family’s plan will be different, depending on a variety of issues, needs, and situations. Ensure you plan with COVID-19 in mind. Ask friends or relatives outside your area if you would be able to stay with them, should the need arise. If you do need to evacuate and plan to stay with friends or relatives, ask first if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or have people in their home at higher risk for serious illness. If that is the case, make other arrangements. Check with hotels, motels and campgrounds to learn if they are open.

Fire Prevention Month Continues! There are 3 steps to Get Set and prepared in the event of an evacuation: 1.Create a Wildfire Action Plan that includes evacuation planning for your home, family and pets. 3.Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit for each person in your household. 4. Fill-out a Family Communication Plan that includes important evacuation and contact information.... Watch this video and stay tuned this week for a full breakdown of each step! Learn more at readyforwildfire.org See more

Halloween might look a little different this year - however, that does not mean fire safety is any less important. Check out the safety tips below to keep you and your loved ones safe this Halloween.

PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Scotts Valley, CA The Scotts Valley Fire Protection District (SVFPD) BOARD OF DIRECTORS is pleased to announce the appointment of Ron Whittle as the District’s new Fire Chief, effective November 1st, 2020. Chief Whittle has been with SVFPD for thirty-six (36) years, holding every rank from firefighter to Battalion Chief. I can retire with my mind at ease knowing the District is in more than capable hands. said former Fire Chief Stev...e Kovacs, I cannot think of a better man to continue to lead the SVFPD while embodying the mission of the District. Chief Whittle was raised in Scotts Valley, attending Scotts Valley schools before entering the fire service at age nineteen (19), volunteering at SVFPD. He went on to raise his own family in Scotts Valley, and worked his way up the ranks through his dedication and commitment to serving our District. I have known Chief Whittle for over 40 years, having grown up with him and worked alongside him. The District is lucky to have him leading us into the future. stated Battalion Chief Butch Theilen. Please join us in welcoming Chief Whittle as the next Fire Chief of Scotts Valley Fire Protection District.

Stuff-The-Boot-Saturday! KSCO Radio is organizing Stuff-The-Boot-Saturday to thank the volunteer fire departments of Santa Cruz County. All proceeds of this drive-thru fundraiser will be donated to our local volunteer agencies. These agencies worked tirelessly to protect their communities during the CZU Lightning Complex fire and continue to do so every day. Please see the below flyer for more information.

How can I prepare my home? Prepare your home with fire-ignition-resistant materials before fire strikes: Flying embers from a wildfire can destroy homes up to a mile away. Taking the necessary measures to harden (prepare) your home can help increase its chance of survival when wildfire strikes. Check out this list of low cost and no cost ways to prepare your home: http://www.readyforwildfire.org//Low-cost-Retrofit-List-Fi

The most important person in protecting homes from wildfire is not a firefighter, but the property owner. It is the action taken by the owner before the wildfire occurs that is most critical. Defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it helps protect your home from catching fireeither from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection of firefighters defending your home. For more information on defensible space zones, plant and tree spacing, and fire resistant landscaping visit: https://www.readyforwildfire.org//get-re/defensible-space/

Scotts Valley Fire Protection District is partnering with City of Scotts Valley for the month of October in support of Wildfire Awareness Month. We will be showing you ways to prepare using "Ready, Set, Go!" Wildfires have greatly impacted our own community, and neighboring communities. Now is an important time to spread awareness. October is still fire season - it is imperative to remain vigilant. Check out the video below on how to get 'Ready'. ... Ready, Set, Go! Get Ready: Create and maintain defensible space and harden your home against flying embers. Get Set: Prepare your family and home ahead of time for the possibility of having to evacuate. Be Ready to GO!: When wildfire strikes, go early for your safety. Take the evacuation steps necessary to give your family and home the best chance of surviving a wildfire.