Little Lake Fire department is looking forward to 2021
“2021 is a big year for us,” Little Lake Fire Protection District (LLF) Chief Chris Wilkes told board members during the Jan. 12 meeting. He explained that various projects the department has been working on are finally coming together, including the new firehouse, a new fire engine, the I.S.O Audit, the Cannabis excise tax share, and others.
Regarding the new firehouse, Wilkes said now that the building is starting to take shape, it’s looking “pretty impressive.” Over the next three weeks, depending on the weather, metal roofing should go on, insulation installed, interior walls will be framed, and aluminum windows placed. Wilkes said the project is “moving pretty quick,” but not without a few changes.
One major addition, he mentioned is a new electronic sighboard that will face E. Commercial Street and alert the public of important notices such as burn day information and emergency evacuations. The original plan was to continue posting paper notices on a bulletin board outside the main entrance, but Wilkes said they realized the many benefits of an electronic signboard, and therefore added it to the construction project.
LLF is also hopeful about the new fire engine they’ve been designing and plan to purchase at a discount on Cal Fire’s state contract. Wilkes said that although the engine will be similar to the current Cal Fire engines, LLF made some changes in order to give the rig hybrid abilities for both urban and wildland settings, and help maintain the department’s I.S.O. rating.
Currently, LLF’S I.S.O number rating is a “3”, which Wilkes said is “excellent.” He added that people are often surprised such a small department has such a great rating, but Wilkes said the crew works really hard at keeping it low (lower is better). Additionally, he said that as the City of Willits upgrades the water pipes in town, it helps the rating stay low, as does the quality of firefighting equipment.
Wilkes said LLF has been able to purchase all new wildland turnouts for the crew members thanks to a $25,000 donation from LEEF Organics, and was also able to buy a new automated external defibrillator (AED) with a surprise donation of $10,000 from Medstar ambulance service.
Another project that has finally come together is developing a schedule for LLF to collect their portion of the City’s Cannabis Excise Tax. Wilkes said LLF will now receive the funding on a regular basis — twice a year in August and February. Also in February, Wilkes confirmed that LLF has been placed on the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors agenda and the matter of impact fees will be addressed.
The LLF board of directors will continue in 2021 with the same members, including Tony Madrigal (president), Skip Lucier (vice president), Nancy Stipe, Arnold Mello, and Tom Herman.