Downed Powerlines Cause 2 Structure Fires

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 09:25:48 -0700

Angwin Fire Saves Home From Destruction

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:28:11 -0800

At 1152 on January 23 Angwin Fire was dispatched to 580 North White Cottage Road for a structure fire. Angwin responded in force with 2 Engines, 1 Truck, 1 Water Tender, 1 Rescue and three Chief Officers to lead the charge.

Upon arrival the on duty Chief Officer observed smoke coming from the attic space of the single story residence and once confirming no one was in the building he began to coordinate the effort to extinguish the threat. Arriving within minutes of dispatch Truck 18, Engine 218 and Engine 1450 (Cal Fire) started to work. Four firefighters and an officer made entrance into the structure on initial attack. Seeing charring in one spot on the living room ceiling they made access there and went to work.

Once they gained access to the attic they saw slow smoldering fire in the rafters and insulation in the ceiling above the living room. The remainder of burned ceiling was removed and fire extinguished with minimal use of water.

During final extinguishment and overhaul firefighters made quick work continuing to salvaging valuables from the area as well as determining cause of the fire. The fire caused approximately $80,000 worth of damage to the ceiling and electrical infrastructure, and firefighters are credited with saving over $200,000 worth of the families property inside.

Although the fire was contained within 30 minutes of arrival, firefighters from Angwin Fire, Las Posadas and St. Helena Stations of Cal Fire remained on scene for two and a half hours more removing debris, securing and cleaning the home for the residents. It is believed that the blaze was started by an electrical malfunction in the ceiling of the living room.

The residents will be able to reinhabit the structure once the ceiling is repaired and power restored. The Pacific Union College Seventh Day Adventist Church is assisting the residents with lodging and other needs.

AFD Patch Gets a Makeover

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:01:10 -0800

December 2008, at the Annual AFD Recognition program local graphic designer and Pastor Roy Ice approached Chief Avery Browne and Lieutenant J.R. Rogers inquiring how he could help the fire department. He looked at the patch affixed to department members’ uniforms and decided that it was time to redo it and announced that he was up to the challenge.

Over the next year Ice and Lt. Rogers worked hand-in-hand with oversight from Chief Browne to create the final version of the new Angwin Fire Department patch. Other department members such as Captain Levi Gore reviewed drafts along the way to help give input and a “4th eye” to the project. The patch was revealed to the public at the 2009 Fire Recognition Program almost one year from its inception. The creators and department members are very excited about the new patch and its meaning. They can’t wait for the world to see and understand what we do here in Angwin.

The patch will go into effect January 1, 2010 as the new department logo.

Patch Development

The new AFD patch was developed around the Angwin Fire Department Mission Statement and Philosophy that we in at AFD follow and abide by. By using this as a guide, Ice and Lt. Rogers were able to craft the patch with key features that represent Angwin.

The Flame – The torch represents Angwin and the Angwin Fire Department desire to be recognized as leaders in fire prevention and protection. Programs and ideas developed by AFD are being used in the county, state and the US. It shows that we are a light leading the way for others to follow and to look up to.

The Torch Handle – The handle is an elegant reminder that we are set deep in tradition. Every member of the fire department, past and present, has and is reaching up to hold the torch and move it forward to lead and pave the way for others.

The Mountain – The Mountain denotes where we live, overlooking the beautiful Napa Valley, and the vineyards below.

The Hydrant and Axes – The fire hydrant and the ax is the core of the fire service. With water we extinguish fires and with the ax we are able to gain access to rescue trapped individuals. It is with these tools that we provide consistent, cost effective service and protect Angwin.

Fire & Rescue – These two words define our mission. To protect the communities we serve from the threat and danger of fire and to rescue those around us from the harm and emergencies they endure.

These symbols are set into a Maltese Cross commonly known as the St. Florian’s Cross. This is a cross widely used by the fire service for its meaning. Its design is said to symbolize the eight points of courage: loyalty, piety, bravery, frankness, glory and honor, no fear of death, compassion toward the sick and poor and respect for the church. It is these points that are embodied in each of our firefighters.

We are very proud of our new patch and symbol of the Angwin Fire Department. We are indebted to Roy Ice for lending his design abilities and leading the way in the effort to gather community involvement in our volunteer fire department.

2009 Firefighter of the Year

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:02:02 -0800

The Firefighter of the Year Award for 2009 is granted for outstanding achievement by a firefighter that brings credit to the Department and which involves performance well above and beyond that which is required by a member's basic assignment.

The criteria includes, but is not limited to, attendance, productivity, letter(s) of merit, organizational commitment, sustained community involvement, judgment, decisiveness, sensitivity and leadership.

This year's Firefighter of the Year Award is presented to Firefighter II/EMT Nate Garcia.

PUC - A Letter Home

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:49:15 -0700

Friday, October 17, 2008

Dear Mom and Dad,
This week has been quite eventful up in Angwin. Fire stretching several hundred acres ripped through the hills of Deer Park, just miles away from the college, which caused quite the buzz around campus. Several college students (and faculty and staff) from the volunteer fire department here in Angwin fought the fire through the night last Friday to protect our surrounding area. Rumor of evacuation spread around campus, but thankfully none was necessary here; the wind was blowing the fire south and away from the college the entire time. (Just in case, all students got a full briefing on an evacuation plan and the staff was prepared for any emergencies.) By Sabbath the fire was pretty much under control and by Monday it was completely out. In colloquy yesterday, some of our firefighters got up and talked about the experience of fighting the fire — and got a standing ovation of appreciation.
School is really in full swing these days, as we’re rounding up on the halfway point to the quarter. I have been hitting the library harder than ever, and I am happy to say that it is paying off. Pastor Iki Taimi from Genesis Church just finished up Week of Prayer this Sabbath, and did a terrific job. I feel that he did an excellent job bringing us into Fall Revival. He did a great job keeping everyone’s attention and making the Word of God seem very personalized and adaptable to our individual lives.
I spent Sabbath lunch with a local family here in Angwin, as a part of the church’s “Home Lunches” program. It’s a ministry where local families will invite college students into their homes for food and fellowship. This is my fourth year at PUC, and I feel that the sense of community is greater now than it has ever been before. I am glad to be part of a church community that places such emphasis on making the members of the surrounding community feel welcome.
Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but I still have an online quiz to finish before my next class! It’s been good chatting, and I hope this letter home finds you well!
Love,

Eric Jett Senior Nursing Major