Inside the Fire House
by Tom Forster
Published December 14, 2016
The Plumas County Fire Chiefs Association held its annual “year-end” meeting recently in Graeagle, and recognized several individuals and one business for outstanding service and support. “We value positive leadership,” said PCFCA President and Graeagle Chief Ed Ward, “… and part of that includes recognizing outstanding service and thanking people through our awards.”
This year the awards included special recognition to Becky Osborn of Plumas County Planning, for her excellent work with Geographic Information Systems and mapping for emergency fire evacuation throughout the area. The plaque was accepted for Osborn by Sue McCourt of the Office of Emergency Services, who worked with Becky on this major project. McCourt was previously recognized for outstanding work on the Firewise Communities program. “These valuable maps would not have happened without Becky’s skills and hard work,” said McCourt.
The Graeagle Land & Water Company was recognized for outstanding support to the countywide fire service for many years of allowing free use of their lands and water systems for fire engine driver and pumping training.
GLWC President Dan West is a former fire chief of Graeagle, and his son, Harvey West III, is a current volunteer fire captain in the department. Dan’s father, Harvey West, Jr., founded the fire district in 1967, and served as a volunteer for 35 years.
Also recognized for his service was former Portola Fire Chief Henry Johnson, who served as acting chief for several years before stepping down by choice into a captain’s role. Ron Jacobson Jr. is now the Portola fire chief. “We want to recognize the service of all outgoing fire chiefs in this county, given the very challenging nature of the role,” said Ward.
Two perpetual awards are given each year, starting with the Chief Robbie J. Cassou Fire Instructor of the Year award. This year’s recipient was Captain Dony Sawchuk of the Quincy Fire Protection District. “Dony has made excellent contributions to both our department training programs and to the county fire service through teaching at the Quincy Fire Academy,” said Cassou, “… we very much appreciate his service.” Sawchuk serves as the facilities director for Plumas County.
The last award was the perpetual Steve Tolen Leadership in Emergency Medical Services award. Tolen presented it to Graeagle Chief Ed Ward, for “… over 30 years of outstanding service in EMS.” Ward serves as one of the few volunteer paramedics in the county, and also leads emergency medical technician, CPR and responder classes through Feather River College and locally. Ward, in turn, thanked Tolen for “… being a key mentor to me over the years.” See photo below.
by Tom Forster
Published December 14, 2016
The Plumas County Fire Chiefs Association held its annual “year-end” meeting recently in Graeagle, and recognized several individuals and one business for outstanding service and support. “We value positive leadership,” said PCFCA President and Graeagle Chief Ed Ward, “… and part of that includes recognizing outstanding service and thanking people through our awards.”
This year the awards included special recognition to Becky Osborn of Plumas County Planning, for her excellent work with Geographic Information Systems and mapping for emergency fire evacuation throughout the area. The plaque was accepted for Osborn by Sue McCourt of the Office of Emergency Services, who worked with Becky on this major project. McCourt was previously recognized for outstanding work on the Firewise Communities program. “These valuable maps would not have happened without Becky’s skills and hard work,” said McCourt.
The Graeagle Land & Water Company was recognized for outstanding support to the countywide fire service for many years of allowing free use of their lands and water systems for fire engine driver and pumping training.
GLWC President Dan West is a former fire chief of Graeagle, and his son, Harvey West III, is a current volunteer fire captain in the department. Dan’s father, Harvey West, Jr., founded the fire district in 1967, and served as a volunteer for 35 years.
Also recognized for his service was former Portola Fire Chief Henry Johnson, who served as acting chief for several years before stepping down by choice into a captain’s role. Ron Jacobson Jr. is now the Portola fire chief. “We want to recognize the service of all outgoing fire chiefs in this county, given the very challenging nature of the role,” said Ward.
Two perpetual awards are given each year, starting with the Chief Robbie J. Cassou Fire Instructor of the Year award. This year’s recipient was Captain Dony Sawchuk of the Quincy Fire Protection District. “Dony has made excellent contributions to both our department training programs and to the county fire service through teaching at the Quincy Fire Academy,” said Cassou, “… we very much appreciate his service.” Sawchuk serves as the facilities director for Plumas County.
The last award was the perpetual Steve Tolen Leadership in Emergency Medical Services award. Tolen presented it to Graeagle Chief Ed Ward, for “… over 30 years of outstanding service in EMS.” Ward serves as one of the few volunteer paramedics in the county, and also leads emergency medical technician, CPR and responder classes through Feather River College and locally. Ward, in turn, thanked Tolen for “… being a key mentor to me over the years.” See photo below.
Inside the Fire House Column, Plumas News
By Tom Forster
December 28, 2017
Fire Chiefs Recognize Outstanding Service & Support
Multiple special recognition awards were handed out at the year-end meeting of the Plumas County Fire Chiefs Association. Thirty members and guests participated in the annual event at Graeagle FD, followed by a BBQ lunch.
“Our non-profit association values recognizing and thanking people for a job well done, in support of our local fire and emergency services,” said PCFCA President and Graeagle Chief Ed Ward. He presented the perpetual Steve Tolen Leadership in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Award to Matt Brown and Sam Blesse of Care Flight, in recognition of their outstanding work improving EMS in Quincy and beyond. “Among their many accomplishments are a big improvement in survival rates for those patients in need of Cardio-Pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)”, said Ward.
The perpetual Chief Robbie Cassou Training Instructor of the Year Award was given to Captain David Schmid of Quincy FD, in recognition of his excellent contributions to the Quincy Fire Academy over many years. “David has also made outstanding contributions to public education and fire safety education for the schools,” said Chief Cassou, “…he is very devoted to what we do.”
Retiring Indian Valley FD Chief Jim Hamblin was recognized for 70 years of excellent service to his community. He received a full-size, engraved brass Fire Chief’s speaking trumpet, used long ago by Chiefs to command fires in the days before two-way radios. “Jim has achieved a very rare and highly unusual length of service, for which he is to be commended,” said PCFCA Vice President and Chester Chief Joe Waterman.
Officer Mike Grant of the Plumas County Sheriff’s Department was recognized with a “Band-Aid, Duct Tape, and Bailing Wire” award, for his outstanding work since 2002 creating and maintaining the county-wide fire service communications system. “It was originally funded through grants that have long-ago dried up. Mike does an excellent job seeking new funding sources and other grants to keep it all running smoothly. His work has included many long hours spent repairing mountain-top radio repeater sites when they are damaged by severe weather,” said Quincy Chief Cassou, “Sometimes this has required trekking through deep snow and stormy conditions, but Mike has always come through.”
John Steffanic and his wife Denise Morganroth of Sierra Promotions received special thanks, in recognition of ongoing outstanding support to the Plumas County fire service. “John suggested we do a Firefighters Muster at the Plumas Sierra County Fair, through his part-time role as Fair Director,” said PCFCA Secretary Treasurer and Plumas Eureka Chief Tom Forster, “…in addition, they have generously donated all of the awards and t-shirts for the event each year, through their Portola business Sierra Promotions.”
PCFCA accomplishments for 2017 included expanding the regional Quincy Fire Academy for new firefighters, and offering numerous low-cost or free training courses. These included the California State Fire Training & Education System Driver Operator and Pump Operations classes, completed by 70 county firefighters total. In addition, a weekend National Fire Academy course was held, focused on Officers supervising life safety operations and structure protection during wildland fires.
“We also had very successful mutual aid operations, both inside and outside of our County,” said Chief Waterman, “Incidents we successfully coordinated resources for response included the Minerva, Toll, and Squirrel fires near Quincy, and many large state fires, including those in Butte, Sonoma, Napa, Ventura, Mendocino, and Santa Barbara counties.”
“We had a very productive, cooperative year,” said President Ward, “and we look forward to a great 2018 working together!” Now is a good time to consider becoming a volunteer firefighter in your community. The annual Quincy Fire Academy will be starting in April. Contact your local fire department for more information.
By Tom Forster
December 28, 2017
Fire Chiefs Recognize Outstanding Service & Support
Multiple special recognition awards were handed out at the year-end meeting of the Plumas County Fire Chiefs Association. Thirty members and guests participated in the annual event at Graeagle FD, followed by a BBQ lunch.
“Our non-profit association values recognizing and thanking people for a job well done, in support of our local fire and emergency services,” said PCFCA President and Graeagle Chief Ed Ward. He presented the perpetual Steve Tolen Leadership in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Award to Matt Brown and Sam Blesse of Care Flight, in recognition of their outstanding work improving EMS in Quincy and beyond. “Among their many accomplishments are a big improvement in survival rates for those patients in need of Cardio-Pulmonary resuscitation (CPR)”, said Ward.
The perpetual Chief Robbie Cassou Training Instructor of the Year Award was given to Captain David Schmid of Quincy FD, in recognition of his excellent contributions to the Quincy Fire Academy over many years. “David has also made outstanding contributions to public education and fire safety education for the schools,” said Chief Cassou, “…he is very devoted to what we do.”
Retiring Indian Valley FD Chief Jim Hamblin was recognized for 70 years of excellent service to his community. He received a full-size, engraved brass Fire Chief’s speaking trumpet, used long ago by Chiefs to command fires in the days before two-way radios. “Jim has achieved a very rare and highly unusual length of service, for which he is to be commended,” said PCFCA Vice President and Chester Chief Joe Waterman.
Officer Mike Grant of the Plumas County Sheriff’s Department was recognized with a “Band-Aid, Duct Tape, and Bailing Wire” award, for his outstanding work since 2002 creating and maintaining the county-wide fire service communications system. “It was originally funded through grants that have long-ago dried up. Mike does an excellent job seeking new funding sources and other grants to keep it all running smoothly. His work has included many long hours spent repairing mountain-top radio repeater sites when they are damaged by severe weather,” said Quincy Chief Cassou, “Sometimes this has required trekking through deep snow and stormy conditions, but Mike has always come through.”
John Steffanic and his wife Denise Morganroth of Sierra Promotions received special thanks, in recognition of ongoing outstanding support to the Plumas County fire service. “John suggested we do a Firefighters Muster at the Plumas Sierra County Fair, through his part-time role as Fair Director,” said PCFCA Secretary Treasurer and Plumas Eureka Chief Tom Forster, “…in addition, they have generously donated all of the awards and t-shirts for the event each year, through their Portola business Sierra Promotions.”
PCFCA accomplishments for 2017 included expanding the regional Quincy Fire Academy for new firefighters, and offering numerous low-cost or free training courses. These included the California State Fire Training & Education System Driver Operator and Pump Operations classes, completed by 70 county firefighters total. In addition, a weekend National Fire Academy course was held, focused on Officers supervising life safety operations and structure protection during wildland fires.
“We also had very successful mutual aid operations, both inside and outside of our County,” said Chief Waterman, “Incidents we successfully coordinated resources for response included the Minerva, Toll, and Squirrel fires near Quincy, and many large state fires, including those in Butte, Sonoma, Napa, Ventura, Mendocino, and Santa Barbara counties.”
“We had a very productive, cooperative year,” said President Ward, “and we look forward to a great 2018 working together!” Now is a good time to consider becoming a volunteer firefighter in your community. The annual Quincy Fire Academy will be starting in April. Contact your local fire department for more information.