October 2025 Edition, American Canyon Fire Protection District News-Ladder

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Dear American Canyon Community,

As we step into the fall season here in American Canyon, the cooler weather brings a welcome change — but also new safety considerations. Rain can make roads slick, so please slow down, give yourself extra space, and drive carefully in wet conditions.

October is also recognized as Fire Prevention Month, making it the perfect time to take a few extra steps at home:

Be sure your chimneys are clear of blockages.

Check that your gutters are free from debris.

Trim back trees and shrubbery that may be too close to your roof or chimney.

If you are decorating outdoors, inspect all light strands for frays or damage before plugging them in.

We also invite you to join us for our Annual Fire Prevention Open House this Saturday, October 4th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Station 11, 911 Donaldson Way E.

From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., we will host a “Quiet Hour” designed for friends in our community who may be sensitive to loud sounds or flashing lights. Our station will be open for tours, hands-on learning, and a close-up look at our engines, equipment, and tools.

Community partners will also be present, including Napa Firewise, American Canyon Police Department, Napa Central Dispatch, American Medical Response, and the flight crew of Copter 11.

Finally, October is Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Month. At our last Board meeting, our Chair and the Fire District Board of Directors proudly recognized the members of ACCERT for their dedication to serving American Canyon and Napa County. Their commitment is an example of how community and public safety work hand in hand.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us to keep our community safe. We look forward to seeing you at the Open House!

Geoff Belyea

Fire Chief

American Canyon Fire Protection District

MONTHLY TRAINING

YEAR TO DATE TRAINING HOURS

Probationary Firefighter Testing

Wildland Operations

USAR: Water Rescue

Drivers Training: 4 X 4 Rugged Terrain

COPTER 11

Training for Readiness

Sunday, September 27 , #AmCanFire partnered with REACH Air Medical Services / Copter 11, for a Landing Zone (LZ) training exercise at Shenandoah Park. Copter 11 touched down safely, our crews practiced loading a “patient,” and in just minutes the helicopter was back in the air. These drills sharpen teamwork and ensure we’re ready when emergency medical transport is needed most.

Why Medical Helicopters Matter

When seconds count, medical helicopters bring the hospital to the patient With the ability to rapidly reach critical scenes such as vehicle accidents, cardiac emergencies, or rescues in remote areas Copter 11 provides advanced prehospital care while en route to a trauma center.

Each mission is staffed by a critical-care trained pilot, flight nurse, and paramedic, forming a team that can deliver the highest level of medical care in the region before a patient even reaches a hospital. Their expertise, paired with specialized equipment on board, ensures life-saving interventions can begin immediately buying precious time during the most serious emergencies. This capability is especially vital for the American Canyon and greater Napa County community, where the nearest hospitals may require longer ground transport times.

Ongoing Training for All Crews

This was the first of three scheduled LZ trainings Over the coming weeks, every member of our fire district will have the opportunity to work hands-on with Copter 11. Practicing multiple times allows our teams to become confident and consistent in securing safe landing zones, coordinating with flight crews, and moving patients efficiently.

Building the Next Generation

Also on scene were members of the American Canyon Fire Explorers program. These young men and women observed and participated in the training, gaining first-hand experience in how air medical services integrate with fire and EMS operations. It was a valuable opportunity to see how effective our partnerships are and to understand how specialized resources like Copter 11 expand the care we can provide.

Community Commitment

Thank you to REACH Air Medical Services and all of our agency partners for their continued support. We train today so we’re prepared tomorrow for the safety of the #AmCanCommunity.

A video highlighting this training exercise is available on our official social media channels.

ACCERT, a program dness for the hazar

October esponse Month

At the Sept

trict Board of Directors issued a proclamation honoring the American Canyon Community Emergency Response Team (ACCERT). The recognition highlights ACCERT’s ongoing participation, rigorous training, and dedicated response efforts that support both the American Canyon and Napa County communities.

Why it matters:

CERT volunteers expand our community’s capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. ACCERT members train in disaster preparedness, light search and rescue, first aid/CPR, fire safety, and neighborhood damage assessment—providing vital, organized help when every minute counts. Thank you, ACCERT!

We applaud our local volunteers for their commitment to readiness and service. If you’re interested in future CERT opportunities, keep an eye on our channels for upcoming trainings and ways to get involved.

CONTINUED.

9/7 – ACCERT, Napa CERT, Napa Valley CERT d N V l CERT ACS (Aux Communications Service) assisted able annual event

9/27 – ACCERT, with other Napa CERT teams, volunteered for The “ALS Ride, Walk & Roll 2025” bike event, providing Support and Gear (SAG) to riders along the route. It was a so crisis response and radio use

Are you someone who wants to be a part of the teams that respond to disasters like wildfires or earthquakes? Free disaster preparedness training is available to residents of Napa County!

The CERT Basic Skills class 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.

If you are interested in seeing what ACCERT is all about, please contact info@americancanyoncert.org

Next General Membership Meeting

Monday, October 7 @ 7pm th

225 James Rd, Station 211

To learn more about the 'Basic CERT Class' scan the QR Code

Know Your Zone - Evacuation Information

Many kinds of emergencies can cause you to have to evacuate. In some cases, you may have a day or two to prepare while other situations might call for an immediate evacuation. Planning is vital to making sure that you can evacuate quickly and safely no matter what the circumstances.

Reminder: There are many tools to support a quick and safe emergency evacuation effort around Napa County. Always use your best judgement in an emergency situation. If you feel unsafe, spot fires ignite, or conditions change, don't wait for an evacuation order; leave early if you are unsure to avoid being trapped by severe conditions.

For more information visit Napa County OES.

(Remember this information can vary slightly so check back regularly.)