News-Ladder
F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 6
As we closed out January, I want to recognize what was a very training-intensive start to the year for our firefighters. Our crews dedicated countless hours to sharpening critical skills through hands-on training in search and rescue, firefighter survival, live-fire operations, and interagency coordination. This type of training is demanding, but it is essential—because when the alarm sounds, preparation makes the difference between a good outcome and a great one.
As February approaches, I’d also like to take a moment to shift our focus to community health and safety. February is recognized as Heart Safe Month, making it the perfect time to learn or refresh your Hands-Only CPR skills.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death nationwide. When it happens outside of a hospital, survival rates are typically around 10%. However, that number can double or even triple when bystander CPR is started immediately.
Hands-Only CPR strong, fast chest compressions without rescue breaths keeps blood flowing to the brain and heart until first responders arrive. The steps are simple:
Call 9-1-1
Push hard and fast in the center of the chest
Don’t stop until help arrives
You don’t need medical training to save a life. You don’t need special equipment. You just need the willingness to act. Anyone can be a hero and sometimes, that hero is you.
GeoffBelyea
Fire Chief
American Canyon Fire Protection District
YEAR TO DATE TRAINING HOURS 587 587
Probationary Firefighter Modules; Ladders & Evolutions MONTHLY TRAINING
USAR: Heavy Objects, Lifting & Moving EMS Skills Updates Firefighter Survival Live Fire Training Burn
January’s Explorer tra itical skills in the fire service: SCBA training and Evolution 1.
SCBA, or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, is the air pack firefighters wear when operating in smoke-filled or toxic environments. It supplies clean, breathable air, allowing firefighters to safely enter structures where the atmosphere would otherwise be deadly. In short SCBA saves lives.
During this training, our Explorers learned the fundamentals of proper donning the correct and efficient way to put on the SCBA. While it may sound simple, doing it right and doing it fast is essential. Seconds matter on the fireground, and an improperly worn SCBA can lead to equipment failure, air loss, or serious injury.
Explorers practiced:
Correct inspection of the SCBA
Step-by-step donning procedures
Achieving a proper facepiece seal
Maintaining situational awareness while on air
Evolution 1 builds the foundation for future hands-on fireground training, reinforcing discipline, muscle memory, and safety under pressure. This month’s training was all about learning to slow down, do it right, and build habits that will carry into every evolution that follows.
Strong fundamentals today create safer firefighters tomorrow and our Explorers are off to a solid start in 2026.
ACCERT, American Canyon Community Response Team, is a program that educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may occur where they live.
1/12 – ACCERT held a general membership meeting where we reviewed and discussed our policies & procedures. This annual review allows us to both maintain our standards of professionalism and, most importantly, set guidelines to keep our members safe
The CERT Basic Skills course is held from 8am-5pm over two Saturdays and 8am-12pm on one Sunday for a total of 20 hours of training. Whether you join a CERT team or not, the class provides great information on Disaster Preparedness that anyone can use
The next CERT Basic Skills course (In Spanish) will be held at the Napa Community College (RM 1637) on Jan 31 , Feb 7 and 8 . The next CERT Basic Skills course (In English) will be in the same location on May 9 , 16 and 17 . Classes are filling up, so don’t hesitate to sign up!
Next General Membership Meeting
Monday, January 12th @ 6:30 pm
225 James Rd, Station 211
To learn more about the 'Basic CERT Class' scan the QR Code
