Sonoma County fire news
Bodega Bay Fire District
“It is fitting that my last contribution to the Gazette coincides with Bodega Bay Fire’s transition to the Sonoma County Fire District. Assuming there is no protest (or very little protest) to the reorganization of the Bodega Bay Fire District into the Sonoma County Fire District at the Sonoma Local Agency Formation Commission hearing on April 6, the Commission will take final action and BBFPD will be annexed into the Sonoma County Fire District with an effective date of July 1, 2022, although you will start to see some changes before that date.
BBFPD has been a truly wonderful experience for me. Thank you for allowing me to grow into the person I continually aspire to be and for letting me serve you for all these years-31 and counting.
Thank you Ray!
It was mentioned before, Firefighter/EMT Raymond Hill retired last month. A truly great Man! We, as an organization and a community, are indebted to Ray for so many reasons. Always a friend, mentor, confidant, Leader, and a first responder extraordinaire. Ray also has an uncanny ability for securing grants for BBFPD. In fact, Ray secured over $1.3 million in grant funds for BBFPD. Ray led BBFPD in training hours and call response. Thank you Ray!
Thank you Dewey!
Support volunteer Dewey Kribs has also announced his retirement from BBFPD. Dewey has been instrumental in our acquiring the funding and equipment needed to build up our emergency operations capabilities as well as increasing our Ham radio capabilities by working with BBCERT. To be fair, Dewey did something for me that I was not able to complete-our fire district emergency preparedness plan, complete with guidelines, training standards, and forms. I am still in awe, because I buried him with all the information I had compiled over the years (many 4-inch binders, books, county plans, periodicals and online FEMA resources and he was able to produce our plan. Thank you Dewey!
BBFPD, as part of the Sonoma County Fire District will be better served now and forever more.“ -Chief Sean
Graton Fire District
Firefighter Awards
Firefighter of the year: Matt Skinner
Most improved firefighter: Evan Jacobs
Most improved rainee: Lia Liskey
The Graton Fire Board of Directors said thank you last month to our firefighters for another year of service with our annual awards dinner. This is the one time each year, when we can relax (because Gold Ridge firefighters provide station coverage) and socialize with our spouses and significant others. We often forget the sacrifices our families and friends make so that we can serve the community... this is a night to thank them as well.
We would like to congratulate our Annual Firefighter awards recipients starting with our firefighter of the year, Matt Skinner. Matt joined the GFPD four years ago and has quickly progressed through his driver operator training to become an excellent acting Engineer. You can often find Matt helping with our fire academies and encouraging trainees through our physical agility course. Matt also served as the Graton Firefighter’s Association President, and he is a constant presence around the fire house. Thank you Matt!
Next, we congratulate our most improved firefighter, Evan Jacobs. Evan joined two and a half years ago when he was 16 and performed excellent throughout his training. This last summer Evan was chosen as a seasonal summer stipend, completed his first responder class, and is currently enrolled in the EMT class at SRJC. Apart from fighting fires and running other emergency calls, you might even see Evan on the fire ground capturing the scene through photography. Evan always has a smile on his face and we are grateful to have him on the Graton Fire Department. Thank you Evan!
Last but certainly not least we would like to congratulate Lia Liskey for most improved trainee. Lia began her firefighter training early in 2020 but her academy class was delayed by COVID for nearly a year. After persevering and proving her dedication Lia passed her training and became a firefighter in July of 2021. Lia always has a positive attitude around the station, and she is a great asset to the department. Thank you Lia!
Along with our current firefighters, we would like to congratulate current Graton Fire Department board member Scott Fisher for his 40+ years of service to the Graton Fire Department. Scott joined the fire department when he was 18 years old and retired as Deputy Fire Chief to help serve the community in a different fashion as a board member. Scott’s dedication to the Graton Fire Department is invaluable. Thank you Scott!
