Calls remain high for Little Lake Volunteer Fire
During the recent the Little Lake Fire District meeting of the board, the “Chief’s Report” revealed much of the same regarding call volumes for Willits volunteers. The department received and fielded 835 calls in 2019. That is approximately two to three calls a day. It appears 2020 is trending in the same direction, and as of Jan. 16, 28 calls had been responded to by Little Lake Fire.
“We’d like to thank the volunteers, as well as their employers and families for the huge sacrifice they’re making. This volume is stressing the system,” said Fire Chief Chris Wilkes.
Lack of sufficient Emergency Medical Services (or ambulances) continue to strain the Little Lake Fire volunteers as call volumes remain unusually high. “This issue is starting to see some traction coming from the public,” remarked Wilkes. “The Board of Supervisor is getting more involved, especially Ted Williams.” Williams is the 5th district advocate who oversees Elk, Gualala, and Bonneville in addition to other Mendocino communities.
“He’s going to keep pushing for a solution.” Wilkes also reported that the owner of MedStar EMS showed leadership and dedication recently by driving an ambulance, himself, in the past week due to staffing problems. “They’re trying, they’re running hard,” said Wilkes of MedStar.
Though busy, the department has been training hard this January. First Aid and CPR re- certifications have been completed or are underway for local First Responders. The Annual Chief’s Academy, a countywide course that takes place most weekends from now through April, has 30 volunteer participants. “We had them working with fire last weekend,” reported Eric Alzarez, training head. “It went well. Some of the shields used were a little melted but nothing serious,” he said with a chuckle. The volunteers also worked on use and timing with their BAs ( Breathing Apparatuses.) “I am really looking forward to having a classroom again,” said Alvarez who has been training remotely and will not have the opportunity to train on sight until the new firehouse is completed.
When asked for more details about the Chief’s Academy, Wilkes explained, “It’s an accelerated skills academy beyond what Firefighter One courses would teach new volunteers. They need to be ready for more than the basics as rural firefighters.” Wilkes also shared his own experiences while in Chief’s Academy at the beginning of his career. “It builds relationships. All the trainees are here for the same reason, and you bond. I still know and talk to people I met in the Academy.”
Mandatory, 2020 inspections are well underway. “We have completed all of the inspections on the large schools,” reported Wilkes. The department is making plans to inspect the charter, alternative, and private school campuses in late winter and spring. “The high school alone took five hours with four inspectors,” explained Wilkes. “We’re learning more about these buildings, and it takes time.”
Regarding inspections of another kind, PG&E has offered to design both the electric and gas routes for the new firehouse ensuring that utility issues will not crop up during or after the design phase of the building. RFP (Request for Proposal) submissions for the building will soon be disseminated.
Vehicles ( both old and new) were also a prominent topic. An extended cab Dodge was purchased to replace the now inadequate “Duty Rig” for Alvarez, Duty Officer and head of training for the Little Lake Department. A Duty Officer is a leadership position that ensures continuity when primary leadership is not present.
When asked what it contained, Chief Wilkes described its uses, “It has a winch, hose, and carries water with a pump to move it. It will have a med kit and safety equipment in the back. It can basically assist in most incidents.” In addition, the department now owns what was once a box style ambulance once belonging to MedStar. “It’s now known as “Rescue 5431,” said Wilkes. It looks like an ambulance, but the vehicle will be used for general needs serving both Little Lake and Brooktrails Fire as a secondary response.
This vehicle is not permitted for ambulance use. The discussion went on regarding discarding vehicles that are no longer inuse or reliable, and how the department would go about eliminating them in a responsible matter.
The discussion was then tabled for a later date.
The best news of the evening involved Eli Owen and Tim Caldwell, who were both promoted to Fire Captain.