The Plumas County Fire Safe Council announces that the Plumas County Fire Chiefs Association is working on a countywide visioning process aimed at creating an outline for the future of the association. The visioning initiative, launched in June, has identified the following goals:
- Communication: committing to clear and immediate communication among members, with outreach to nonmembers
- Organizational clarity: realigning meetings and goals to mission, vision and values
- Relevance: regaining relevance with stakeholders, the board of supervisors, the local agency formation commission and the support of smaller departments
- Leadership training: providing training in support of local leaders
PCFSC reports that the visioning process will continue at the association’s quarterly meetings over the next year by the active membership, made up of the 12 local fire chiefs. These chiefs are unified by their commitment to protecting life, property and natural resources across the county, said PCFSC. Through collaboration on common goals, mutual and automatic aid agreements, fire prevention programs, public education, joint trainings and shared resources, the association ensures that each of the county’s fire departments — from small volunteer departments to larger combination paid/volunteer agencies — have the support and coordination needed to serve communities effectively.
The 12 fire chiefs who make up the primary membership of the Plumas County Fire Chiefs Association are as follows:
- Ed Ward, PCFCA president, Graeagle Fire Protection District chief
- Frank Carey, PCFCA vice president, Quincy Fire Protection District chief
- Jack Rosevear, PCFCA secretary, Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District chief
- Dave Beskeen, Bucks Lake Fire Department chief
- Denny Wright, Indian Valley Fire Department/Crescent Mills Fire Department interim fire chief
- Lafe Alexander, Meadow Valley Fire Department chief
- Matt Turner, West Shore Fire Department/Prattville-Almanor Fire Protection District chief
- Megan McCrorey, Long Valley Volunteer Fire Department chief
- Robert Gray, Peninsula Fire Protection District/Hamilton Branch Fire Protection District/Chester Fire Department chief
- Steve Burroughs, La Porte Fire Protection District chief
- Steve Munsen, Plumas Eureka Fire Department chief
- Tyson Rael, Greenhorn Volunteer Fire Department chief
PCFSC points out that each of the member fire departments plays a unique role in safeguarding the residents, visitors and natural beauty of their communities and the county at large through collaborative efforts with the associate members in county, state and federal agencies.
Some of the current associate members include
- Joe Walton, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Lassen Modoc Plumas Unit Plumas assistant chief
- Lori Pini, Plumas County Office of Emergency Systems manager
- Martin Senter, Plumas National Forest fire management officer
- Matt West, PCFSC director
- Robert Buckout, California Office of Emergency Services fire assistant chief
- Chad Hermann, Plumas County sheriff
- Sam Blesse, Care Flight ground emergency medical services manager
The members of this core group of chiefs and associate members volunteer to participate in the nonprofit association, and their work in the visioning process will help shape the future of emergency services and the organization’s mission to organize, lead and improve fire services in Plumas County, say organizers.
More information about the association is available from Dale Ready, Plumas County Fire Chief Association support specialist, at [email protected].