Butte Valley Fire Protection District in Macdoel, CA

Macdoel, CA located in Siskiyou County near the California and Oregon border, and is classified as a Census Designated Place (CDP) by the Federal government. Local residents determined a need for fire protection in the 1960's and formed the Butte Valley Fire Protection District (BVFPD) in 1965. The fire district encompasses 33 square miles and includes the communities of Macdoel and Mount Hebron. Target hazards include State Highway 97 a major truck transportation route, the Union Pacific Rail Road line linking California and Oregon, and numerous farms and ranches. Agriculture makes up the largest industry in the community, with strawberry plants, hay and cattle being the major commodities raised in the area.

Funding is obtained through a fire district tax, leveled on real property within the district boundaries. Additional funding is received through donations and grants. An annual "Rib Feed" has been a department tradition for over ten years, and allows the department to fund purchases of equipment and supplies.

The fire district is administered by a five-person elected Board of Directors, who in turn direct the District Fire Chief (Chief 1800), a career employee. Eight volunteer firefighters make up the remainder of the staff, and operate from one fire station with a 2002 International/KME wildland-urban interface fire engine (pumper) with a 750 gallon per minute (GPM) fire pump and 500 gallon water tanks (E-1810), and a 3,700 gallon custom built water tender (WT-1830). These two units carry a total of 4,200 gallons of water, allowing the department to carry the minimum fire flow requirements outlined by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) for a Rural Class 8b rating. The department is currently classified by ISO as a Class 9 fire department within five road miles of the fire station located in downtown Macdoel.

The Butte Valley Fire Protection District participates in the State of California Fire Training System of the California State Fire Marshal. Entry-level personnel are trained to the "Certified Volunteer Firefighter" level and receive training in structural and wildland firefighting, emergency medical response, hazardous materials response, automobile and rope rescue.

The district is a member of the Siskiyou County mutual aid plan and is dispatched by CAL FIRE in Yreka, CA. The department responds to wildland-urban interface fires within the State of California as part of the State mutual aid plan. Wildland response on automatic aid to the surrounding state and federal lands is coordinated with CAL FIRE and the United States Forest Service (USFS). Both CAL FIRE and USFS operate fire stations in Macdoel which are staffed during the declared fire season. The department belongs to the Siskiyou County Fire Chief's Association; California State Firefighter's Association (CSFA), and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Current projects for 2010 include a joint grant writing consortium with the Gazelle (CA) Fire Department and the Scottsburg (OR) Rural Fire District. A fire station addition/remodel is planned, along with the replacement of the district reserve fire engine (E-1812) are also being planned.