A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
PLACER HILLS FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
In 1949, community members of the Meadow Vista came
together through the Grange to create the Meadow Vista Fire
Department. In 1988, the Meadow Vista Fire Protection District,
Company No.31 and the Ponderosa Fire Brigade annexed to become the
Placer Hills Fire Protection District.
Placer County established Company No. 31 in 1979 at the
Weimar Institute to assist in the County contract with the
California Department of Forestry. In 1980, members of the
Applegate and Weimar communities came together to develop Engine
Company No. 31. The community built the Fire Station in Applegate
in 1983 and the County provided an engine and a water-tender. John
Velican provided an engine for the Ponderosa Fire Brigade.
With start-up monies budgeted by the Placer County Board
of Supervisors, Placer Hills Fire Protection District built a new
station at Weimar Crossroads and purchased a new mini-pumper quick
attack in 1990. Also in the same year, the Fire Board hired a
part-time Fire Marshal to establish a fire prevention program
throughout the District. The Placer County Board of Supervisors
adopted Ordinance 4225-B, County Code Chapter 7.50 creating the
legal authority for fire districts to collect fees in order to
mitigate the impacts of new development. The Placer Hills Fire
Protection District started collecting the Fire Facilities Fees in
late 1990 and has been able to purchase/lease state of the art
firefighting engines and equipment.
To further enhance the fire protection of this District,
the Fire Board passed a Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment in
1991, which provided daytime staffing during weekdays. Placer
Hills Fire Protection District started providing non-transporting
Advanced Life Support Services in October 1997. In September 2001
the district staffed one engine with a crew of two, 24 hours per
day and an additional engine with 2 during work hours and fire
season weekends. The community approved another Benefit Assessment
of $49 in June 2004. The Fire District runs approximately 1000
calls every year.
Population 12,000 people and approx.
3,500 residences.
Area Covered 34 Square Miles
ISO rating
5 / 8
Stations
#1 Meadow Vista (84)
#2 Applegate (85)
#3 Weimar (86)
Personnel
Chief
Ian Gow
Assistant
Chief Kevin Wegener
Office
Manager Gillian Lofrano
Captains:
Rich Fulfer, Kress McKinney, Pat Nelson, Tim Robinson
Lieutenants: Tom Crago, Mitch Hoogendyk
Eng/Pm:
Tess Clark, Dave McKinnon and Matt McCarthy
Approximately 20 part-time firefighters and 15 very active,
dedicated volunteers
Click HERE to
view some Historic photos
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