New Program Creating Fire Adapted Community Network at Lake Tahoe

Contact: Marybeth Donahoe, (530) 543-1501 ext. 114

South Lake Tahoe, Calif. –The Tahoe Resource Conservation District (Tahoe RCD) is launching a new program to motivate and help communities to take action to lower their risk to the wildfire hazard in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Supported with grant funding from CAL FIRE, the Tahoe RCD is building a Fire Adapted Community Network to educate locals and visitors about their vulnerability to wildfire and help them reduce their risk. In fire adapted communities, residents, visitors and agencies work together to take collaborative action to protect the community before, during, and after wildfires.

**South Lake Tahoe, California***

March 7, 2016

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) is proud to announce Dusty LaChapelle as the District’s Firefighter of the Year and one of the Tahoe-Douglas Rotary Club’s Community Hero Award recipients. The Community Hero Award recognizes local police, fire professionals, and others in the community who embody the Rotarian motto, “Service Above Self.” The award will be given March 11, 2016 at the Tahoe-Douglas Rotary St. Patrick’s Celebration at Harrah’s.

Dusty LaChapelle is a South Lake Tahoe native who has been involved in the fire service since the year 2000. He began his career with CalFire as a seasonal firefighter and then transitioned to Pioneer Fire as a firefighter/paramedic where he was quickly promoted to Captain. After eight years with Pioneer Fire, Dusty returned to South Lake Tahoe to work as a firefighter/paramedic with LVFPD in 2013. He chose to return to South Lake Tahoe with his wife, Megan, to raise their two small children in the place he is happy to call home. Both Dusty and Megan, a nurse at Barton Memorial Hospital, are active members of the community and proud to serve area residents and visitors alike.

As a member of the LVFPD, Dusty has embraced the District’s mission and values. He constantly strives to “Do the Right Thing” and works tirelessly to help those around him. With this award, Dusty is choosing to help fund the education of aspiring future fire fighters while honoring a fallen comrade, Mitch Underhill, by donating $1000 to the Mitch Underhill foundation.

Lake Valley Fire Protection District Presents Community Easter Egg Hunt!  Bring your camera to pose with Easter Bunny and a Fire Truck!

Tahoe Paradise Park

Sunday, March 27th

Starts at 9am

Family fun for all ages!

Competitive Entry Level Exam and Job Announcement For:

Firefighter/Paramedic

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District is a local government agency created and operated pursuant to California State Law; by the Fire Protection Law of 1987 – Health and Safety Code, Section 13801 through 13999. It provides 24-hour emergency fire, rescue, emergency medical services and other safety activities. The District's policies are set by a 5-member elected Board of Directors.

Lake Valley Fire Protection District serves the residents of El Dorado County in the Lake Tahoe Basin area. Our jurisdiction extends north to include Emerald Bay on Hwy 89, west to Twin Bridges on Hwy 50, south to the intersection of Hwy 88 and Hwy 89 in Alpine County, and east to the Nevada State line not including the City of South Lake Tahoe.

Job Description: This is a full time position working as a firefighter/paramedic.     This is a position represented by the current Memorandum of Understanding with the Lake Valley Professional Firefighters Association. The Fire District has a residency requirement which must be met within sixty days of the “start date”. The official job description is available on our website.

***South Lake Tahoe, California***

February 2, 2016

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District announces its “Adopt a Fire Hydrant” program.

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District has over 1000 fire hydrants within its borders. It is impossible for fire crews to shovel and maintain all of them in a timely manner. The California Fire Code addresses keeping fire hydrants free of obstructions and immediately identifiable.

The Lake Valley Fire Protection District strives to ensure all hydrants are clear, marked, and accessible in the event of a fire. Winter time makes this job very hard and during heavy snow the district is forced to clear key hydrants first. Some hydrants unfortunately may remain buried all winter.