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DIVISION news
Covering the Cities of Needles and 29 Palms, the Town of Yucca Valley
and seven unincorporated areas on the eastern edge of the county
By Ryan Beckers and Local 935 VP Zack Taylor
LABOR REP:
AARON COMSTOCK
Local 935 and County Fire staff at High Desert Medical Center recently supported the
Healthy over Hungry cereal drive in the Morongo Basin.
TOM MARSHAL
ASSISTANT CHIEF
Brush Patrol 45 was recently deployed to the Carr Fire near Redding as part of Strike Team 6239F.
HOT TOPICS
• Local 935 Vice President Zack Taylor met
with Mayor Ricki Denison to discuss the ap-
plication of the FP-5 fee in the south desert.
Mayor Denison is supportive, as the measure
would bring an additional $2.7 million in reve-
nues to Yucca Valley alone. These funds could
help build a new Station 41 and add a medic
squad to the daily staffing.
• The Deccan database service has calculated
that a new 41’s would ideally be located…
about 100 feet from the current spot! Fortu-
nately, the town of Yucca Valley is donating
the nearby California Welcome Center land
and the lot adjacent.
FROM ACROSS THE SOUTH DESERT
•
Students at Yucca Valley Elementary School
enjoyed a cool down from the crew at Station 41.
Temperatures this summer in the deserts have
soared past 100 degre es for several weeks.
•
Plans for Station 18 in Havasu Landing are
on hold, as the Chemeheuvi Indian tribe
evaluates its plans for a new hotel/casino
in the area. Once the casino is operational
and revenues are evaluated, negotiations
on a partnership for station and staffing will
resume.
•
•
County Fire/Reach Helicopter 325 lifts off from Yucca Valley
High School during a recent Every 15 Minutes presentation,
which highlights the dangers of drunk driving.
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FIREWIRE • Summer 2018
The fire/rescue boat training program is still
in development. Division Chief Tom Marshall
and Battalion Chief Donnie Viloria presented
their ideas at Operations Leadership, with the
goal of establishing and defining a certifica-
tion process.
“Fireman Joe” recently made a stop in the
Morongo Basin during his walk to Yarnell, Ariz.,
to honor the Granite Mountain Hotshots.
Community involvement continues,
with Division 4 members attending
the Yucca Valley youth baseball
Miracle League’s final game of the
season. Local media highlighted
the occasion, including our $1000
donation to the program. Meanwhile,
Local 935 donated over 100 boxes of
cereal to public school students de-
pendent on in-school meal programs
with the goal of helping bridge the
gap during the summer vacation.
The city of Needles has approved
over 40 recreational marijuana fa-
cility permits. The potential revenue
stemming from these businesses
could lead to improved staffing at
Station 32.
Our members aboard Fire Boat 32 provide care to a trauma victim on the Colorado River.
Brush Patrol 45 spent
nearly one month as-
signed to the Carr Fire.
County Fire is an active
participant in the state
of California Mutual Aid
system.
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DIVISION news
Summer 2018 • FIREWIRE
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