Preventive Education

Provides fire protection, emergency medical services, and emergency response to the Van Etten area and surrounding communities.

Restored a historic chemical cart by refurbishing all components, including metal, wood, and finish work, and participated in a traditional fire department "push-in" ceremony to mark its return to service.

Provides downloadable fire safety materials, including guidance on smoke alarm testing, home fire escape planning, lithium-ion battery safety, electric vehicle charging safety, and wildland fire safety for at-risk communities.

Provides an online dashboard that shows potential exposure to wildfire hazards for structures in the wildland-urban interface at the county and community level, enabling targeted risk reduction planning and outreach.

Operates a First Responder Youth Camp where young participants learn emergency response skills from local firefighters and EMS personnel, with scheduled programming in July 2026.

Participates in community events such as the Cold Spring Memorial Day Parade to honor military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Operated a Fire Prevention and Junior Academy Program that provided fire safety education and training activities until suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responds to and extinguishes fires, including structure fires and dumpster fires adjacent to flammable vegetation, with first-due engine response and mutual aid as needed. Conducted suppression of a working structure fire at the Cold Spring Mobile Home Park and extinguished a fully involved 30-yard dumpster fire near dry grass fields.

Hosts mindfulness training sessions to support mental resilience and wellness among firefighters during emergency operations and daily life.

Responds to motor vehicle accidents involving structural impacts, securing the scene, managing traffic, coordinating with utilities and building inspectors, and assisting injured individuals in coordination with EMS and police.

Conducts mountain rescues for lost or injured hikers in challenging terrain and weather conditions, including nighttime operations during approaching severe thunderstorms. Successfully located and assisted four hikers within one hour of dispatch from the Breakneck Ridge area and rescued a hiker with stroke symptoms from a snow-covered trail where vehicle access was not possible.

Conducts regular training drills for water operations, including dry hydrant use, engine water supply setup, and hose-line advancement to maintain operational readiness.

Operates a Junior Volunteer Firefighter program for teenagers aged 16–18, providing hands-on training, mentorship, and supervised participation in emergency calls and drills.

Performs regular training including ice water rescue drills at Green Lake Park and hands-on instruction in hose handling, ladder techniques, and equipment use for both active and junior firefighters.

Provides public education on household fire and safety hazards, offers fire safety presentations upon request, and conducts outreach on carbon monoxide and smoke detector safety to community members.

Deploys a bike team staffed with EMT-B personnel to provide rapid medical response at large public events such as the 4th of July Parade and Fireworks, Memorial Day Parade, and Quaker Arts Festival.

Installs and maintains exterior Knox Boxes on commercial buildings to enable rapid emergency access, reducing property damage from forcible entry during responses.

Operates a central fire station with training and meeting facilities capable of accommodating over 200 people, along with a substation containing two apparatus bays and support facilities for Engine 3 and a support unit.