Operations
Fire Suppression
All of our fire suppression personnel are certified to the California State Firefighter I level and are actively trained to the Firefighter II, Fire Officer and Chief Officer level according to the California State Fire Training Professional Certification Track.
Our firefighters are consistently trained throughout their employment to ensure all skills are maintained at the highest level possible. In addition, most of our fire suppression personnel maintain Paramedic certification, which allows them to perform advanced life support techniques.
At Lake Valley Fire Protection District, we pride ourselves on providing advanced equipment and training in fire suppression to our community. Our firefighters are current with firefighting, rescue, and emergency response techniques that improve our ability to rapidly extinguish fires and conduct safe and effective search and rescue operations inside buildings.
Vehicle Extrication
Another service provided by Lake Valley Fire Protection District is vehicle extrication. As an all-risk fire department, Lake Valley engages in whatever task is needed to mitigate an emergency. The Fire District is located along the U.S. Highway 50 and Highway 89, which are areas with a high volume of motor vehicle collisions.
At times, these collisions require the extrication of victims from the wreckage, and our crews are trained and equipped to do what is necessary to accomplish that task. Removal of the victims is the first step to getting them definitive care, and with modern equipment and technologies, Lake Valley stays on the cutting edge.
Each of our two Type I fire engines are equipped with extrication tools. Lake Valley uses Amkus rescue tools, and the engines are outfitted with a set of spreaders, cutters, and a ram.
In addition to the rescue tools, all fire engines are equipped with stabilization equipment to keep everyone safe. Other various hand tools round out the equipment that keeps our crews ready for whatever the next call may bring.
High Angle Rescue
Rope Rescue
The Tahoe Basin and surrounding areas draw a large volume of outdoor activities. Hiking, biking, camping, climbing, swimming, and boating are just a few of the enjoyable past times that can be had by beginner and expert alike. With these activities comes the chance for accidents and injuries, so the crews at Lake Valley work to be ready for whatever call may be just around the corner.
Rope rescue is an important part of the rescue services provided, and each member of the Fire District is trained to a basic level at a minimum. Any member of the crew can perform basic duties, including set up and takedown of rope systems, low-angle rescue, EMS skills, and extrication. Some members of the District train to a higher level of competence and are certified for high-angle rope rescue systems.
These crews train and qualify annually to maintain vital skills that are required to perform in the most precarious of situations. There have been several calls for service where our teams have been able to help those in need. These include a stranded climber at Lover’s Leap or a vehicle accident victim. Regardless of the call, Lake Valley is there to assist wherever and however needed. Our crew efforts ensure that each person who needs care is able to get that care in a timely manner.
Ice Rescue
During the cold winter months here at Lake Tahoe, ponds, small lakes, and streams can become very dangerous when iced over. Lake Valley has risen to the challenge by purchasing equipment and providing training to employees for ice rescue.
Currently, the entire department has been trained in the basic operations of ice rescue so that in the event of an emergency, personnel and equipment can be quickly deployed to perform a rescue. Both engines carry ice rescue suits and retrieval ropes.
Water Rescue
Lake Valley Fire District’s water rescue program was designed to provide quick response to water emergencies. Fire District personnel are trained and equipped for a variety of water operations, including rapid extrication of victims from swift water. Special dry suits allow rescuers to operate in all weather conditions. Water temperatures in the Truckee river can drop as low as 32 degrees in the winter and early spring, which makes rapid response to emergencies essential.
Emergency Medical Services
The Lake Valley Fire Protection District is a leader in emergency medical services. In September 2001, Lake Valley Fire administrators headed the creation and implementation of our Fire Protection District’s first Advanced Life Support Ambulance Service in County Service Area (CSA) #3. This encompasses the portion of El Dorado County within the Lake Tahoe Basin. Lake Valley Fire was one of three fire agencies, which include South Lake Tahoe Fire Department and North Tahoe Fire Protection District, who formed a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) and successfully won the bidding process in 2001, proposed by the Health Services Department in the County of El Dorado, California. The recent contract renewal and bidding process has been successfully awarded to the JPA for 2021 implementation. The term of the contract is ten (10) years in length with a five year extension, for a total of fifteen (15) years. The JPA met all compliance requirements contained in the previous contract with El Dorado County and was extended to its full term of ten (10) years.
The Department maintains at least one state licensed / locally accredited first-responder paramedic on all three first-line response vehicles. In addition, the base level for all other emergency response personnel is certification as Emergency Medical Technician I with accreditation to operate cardiac defibrillators. Ambulance operations are provided by the Cal Tahoe Joint Powers Authority (JPA). These ambulances maintain a System Status Planning and Deployment method and are strategically housed throughout the area for optimum response times when responding to local emergencies. The Cal Tahoe JPA also provides non-emergent Inter-Facility Transfers for those patients needing transportation to hospital emergency rooms outside of the Tahoe Basin.