Tahoe Douglas Fire News
This season has potential for extreme heat and wind, creating a concerning scenario with our typical low humidity.
October 5, 2023
Contact: Michelle Turner
Public Information Officer
Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fire Restrictions Lifted & Open Public Burning Starts October 9th in Tahoe Township, Douglas Co.
October 9, 2023, Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District has lifted the suspension of the use of solid-fuel and charcoal barbeques that has been in place in the Tahoe Township, Douglas County, Nevada.
In addition, effective October 9, 2023, outdoor burning is permissible. Permits for open burning of pine needles, slash piles, construction warming fires, and recreational fire pits are available Monday through Friday, free of charge. Please call 775.588.3591 to schedule an inspection and obtain a permit. Visit our website for more information.
Guidelines for open burning are:
- Permit is valid for open burning only at the address listed and only for materials authorized.
- Permit holder shall visit tahoefire.org prior to any burning activity to determine if it is an approved Burn Day.
- No open burning is permitted on No Burn Days as determined by the Fire District.
- Open burning starts at 6:00 a.m. and all piles must be extinguished by 3:00 p.m.
- Provide a thirty-minute fire watch after extinguishing any fire.
- Have a charged garden hose and hand tools nearby.
- Keep pine needle and slash piles small and manageable.
- An adult must constantly attend fire.
- Clear a 25-foot radius noncombustible area around all fires.
- Keep fires away from any overhanging branches.
- Burning of household refuse, trash, cardboard, rubber products, tires, plastic, petroleum, construction debris, and other non-vegetative materials is prohibited.
Grilling Safety Tips:
All grilling appliances shall be used within the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations. Follow these simple safety tips when using solid-fuel, charcoal, or propane grills.
- Propane, charcoal, and other solid-fuel grills should only be used outdoors.
- The grill should be placed far away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
- Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
- Never leave your grill unattended.
- Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
Charcoal Grills:
- Charcoal grills are prohibited on combustible surfaces.
- There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
- If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
- Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
- There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
- When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container. To obtain a free ash can, homeowners can download the Ash can Voucher. Vouchers are also available at Station 23, 193 Elks Point Rd. in Round Hill across from Safeway. Completed vouchers can be exchanged for an ash can at Kingsbury Hardware while supplies last.
- Full ash cans can be dumped at TDFPD Station 23, 193 Elks Point Road, Zephyr Cove, in the rear parking lot in a bright red dumpster.
- Click here for more information on the ash can program.
Propane Grills:
- Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.
- Apply light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles.
- If your grill has a gas leak, by smell, or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.
- If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
- If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before re- lighting it.
When natural disasters, community emergencies, or industrial accidents such as wildfire, floods, severe weather, chemical spills, or police action occur, local emergency responders send alerts through our emergency notification system. Reverse 911 is the most effective way to reach you and can target all residents in a community down to a single address.
To Register for douglas county, nevada reverse 911 please scan the qr code or visit: https://douglascounty.onthealert.com
For more information call 775.782.5126
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What is home hardening?One of the most effective ways residents can prepare their homes is by implementing home hardening techniques and maintaining effective defensible space. |
Dr. Steve Quarles describes the importance of home hardening stating, “Post-wildfire assessments have shown that more than 60% of home ignitions are the result of wind-blown embers. The chance of home ignitions can be greatly reduced if residents create and maintain an effective defensible space on their property and take steps to harden their homes to make them more resistant to embers.” Taking steps now to harden your home against embers will increase the survivability of your home during a wildfire. Learn more about preparing for wildfire at tahoelivingwithfire.com. |
About the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team (TFFT) consists of representatives of Tahoe Basin fire agencies, CAL FIRE, Nevada Division of Forestry and related state agencies, University of California and Nevada Cooperative Extensions, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, the USDA Forest Service, conservation districts from both states, the California Tahoe Conservancy and the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Our Mission is to protect lives, property, and the environment within the Lake Tahoe Basin from wildfire by implementing prioritized fuels reduction projects and engaging the public in becoming a Fire Adapted Community. For more information, visit tahoelivingwithfire.com. |
APPOINTMENTS are *highly* recommended for this event.
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Vitalant will test all successful blood donations for antibodies to |
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Wilder than Wild: Free Virtual Screening
Tahoe Douglas Fire encourages to the Tahoe communities to participate in this
free virtual screening of Wilder than Wild: Fire, Forests, and the Future.
The Tahoe Network recognizes the importance of building community
awareness about mitigation strategies in this new age of wildfire and strives to
prepare people and property for wildfire by coordinating efforts on a neighborhood scale.
"Unfortunately, living in a forest-like we do in Tahoe means living with the threat of catastrophic wildfire," said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. "We are so excited to make this terrific film available for everyone to watch for free to learn more about the history of wildfire. It is definitely worth an hour of your time." |
Watch the film here. | Register for the Q&A panel here. This event is open to the public and is free thanks to sponsorship from the Tahoe Fund. |
What can I do before a fire?
The potential for loss of life and property due to wildfire in the Lake Tahoe Basin
is growing. Residents should learn how to live more safely with the threat of
wildfire. There are proven steps that residents and whole communities can take
before a fire to improve the odds of wildfire survival.
Take action to improve your home's survivability:
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Tips for landscaping around your home:
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Please read this important update regarding Tahoe Douglas Fire District response to COVID-19
At Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD), we are working hard to continue our service delivery through the emerging COVID-19 situation. Our responders are ready to provide care to our residents and visitors by maintaining a healthy workforce and taking important safety precautions in our responses.
We are in constant contact and collaboration with health authority officials and emergency managers. While we remain informed, fully staffed and operationally ready, there are some changes that we would like you to know about in our response.
If you call 9-1-1
In Douglas County, if you call 9-1-1, the call taker may ask a few more questions in addition to the standard questions about your address, phone number and the nature of the emergency. You may be asked if you have symptoms like a fever over 100.4, a cough, difficulty breathing, runny nose or general flu like symptoms. These questions help us prepare our responders to deliver the appropriate care.
When the responders arrive
When our responders arrive, you may notice them wearing additional personal protective equipment including gloves, eye protection or a face shield, an N-95 respirator mask and a gown. They may limit the number of personnel that enter your residence, have you come to the door, or even come outside if possible. You may be asked to wear an isolation mask which may help to reduce potential exposure to the rescuers who will be working in close proximity to you.
If an ambulance transport to the hospital is necessary, we will limit the number of people in the ambulance by asking family members or additional passengers to take a separate vehicle. In addition, the paramedics may seal off the patient compartment from the driver compartment inside the ambulance.
Disinfecting
Our ambulances are decontaminated after every patient transport using an EPA-approved disinfectant and following a strict procedure. TDFPD has ensured that this disinfectant has a manufacturer’s statement as to its effectiveness against Human Coronavirus.
Use 9-1-1 for Emergencies Only
Please remember that calling 9-1-1 should be reserved for life-threatening emergencies and is should not be used to obtain a COVID-19 test. If it is not a life threatening situation, please use an alternative source of transportation to the hospital to keep ambulances available for the critically ill.
If you are ill and are not experiencing a medical emergency, consider calling the Carson City Health hotline at 775-283-4789 Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm. This is also a great resource to stay informed on developments. You may also get latest updates about our region by visiting Carson City Health and Human Services. These services are available to our residents through our partnership with the quad county health care coalition.
Responder Welfare
It is particularly important that our responders maintain their health and wellness so they can continue to render care to those in need. Please note that we are not able to distribute any masks or PPE items.
Be safe, exercise social distancing and remember that we are all in this together.
Scott Baker, Fire Chief
Resources
please visit the following websites for additional information:
Carson City Health and Human Services
CDC
Douglas County NV
EM:RAP
Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District trains recruits at a regional
fire academy where they are taught fire fighting skills.
Recruits are also introduced fire service traditions like the following:
Visit www.doctorhomeair.com for homewoners
to learn more about Radon testing.
Find More NV Radon Information
Additional Radon Resources available with the National Radon
Proficiency Program click here!
NEW TDFPD RECRUITS COMPLETE FIRE ACADEMY
January 24, 2020 --Twenty recruits successfully completed a 14-week regional
fire academy sponsored by Carson City Fire, East Fork Fire, North Lake Tahoe
Fire, Tahoe Douglas Fire.
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Fire Chief Scott Baker addresses the audience,
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Recruit Danny Glover is pinned by his girlfriend Liz. |
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Chief Baker thanking the regional fire academy training officers with challenge coins. |
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Fire Board Trustee Ann Grant administers |
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Recruit Peter Keogan is pinned by |
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Fire Chief Scott Baker addresses the recruits on the topic on the importance of behavioral health throughout their careers. |
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Assistant Chief Todd Moss and Regional Training Officer, Captain Brian Zabel present |
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Recruit Zeb Jensen was pinned by his wife Kendra. Zeb received a Peer Leadership award from the academy instructors. |
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Regional Training Officer, Captain Brian Zabel (right) was responsible for guiding the TDFPD recruits to a successful completion of the14 week fire academy. |
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Engineer Mark Norwood (left) represented TDFPD in the honor guard at the event. |
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Recruit Spencer Sloat was pinned by |
- For your convenience, TDFPD will soon be adding debit card and credit card payment options.
- Online payments for the following items: plan review, VHR re-inspection, merchandise.
- Processing will be available on our website as well in person. Watch here for the go-live information!
If you have any questions, please contact Tahoe Douglas Fire at (775) 588-3591.
Ready to Apply?
Take the next step toward joining our team! Complete your application today.
Office assistant/fire board secretary
Description
Under close supervision, performs a variety of general clerical duties including typing/word processing, office reception and answering phone; files and performs errands, internally and externally, of an official nature for other office staff. Serves as the first interface with the public during normal business hours and interacts to provide a variety of services as it relates to the fire district.
Experience and Training
Any combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A typical way to gain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is:
Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent and six months of general clerical experience performing a variety of office clerical tasks, including the use of a computer; or any combination of training and experience that would demonstrate the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position.
Required Certifications and Licenses
- Possession of a valid driver’s license or alternate means of travel;
- Must possess or have the ability to obtain Incident Command Systems (ICS) 100 and 700; and
- CPR certification within six months of hire.
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Salary Range: $17.00 an hour to start with annual step increases
Benefit Package: After wait period full medical, dental, vision for employee and dependents premiums 100% by the fire district. Life and AD&D insurance; and NV PERS retirement also paid 100% by the fire district. NV Deferred Comp and Cafeteria Plan (optional).
Application Period: Friday, October 8, 2019 to Friday, November 1, 2019 @ 5:00 pm Pacific Time
Application packet must include cover letter, resume, application and Applicant Affirmative Action form.
Applications may be obtained at:
193 Elks Point Road – Station 23
Zephyr Cove, NV 89448
or online at: http://www.tahoefire.org/about/employment
Business hours are 0800-1200, 1300-1700; see Mikayla, Carrie or Kate.
Application packets should be emailed to: Kate Warner, Office Manager @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Once the recruitment has been open for ten(10) business days, the fire district reserves the right to close the recruitment process prior to the initially posted deadline if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received. To ensure thorough review of application materials, applicants are encouraged to apply as early in the process as possible after the recruitment is posted.
The fire district reserves the right to close the application process and not fill the position if a sufficient amount of qualified applications are not provided. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
Incomplete applications and packets will not be considered; the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District has the right to refuse any/all applications. The recruitment is officially closed when the job announcement is removed from the Tahoefire.org website.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District is an equal opportunity employer. Federal and State laws prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, veteran status or on the basis of disability.
As you may know, the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District serves the east shore of Lake Tahoe in Douglas County from the top of Kingsbury Grade to the Stateline casino core, and then to the top of Spooner Summit. Though our agency is at the lake, we are invested in the Douglas High School graduating class of 2019.
Many of our employees and our retirees reside in the valley and have raised their families there. We are particularly proud of the fact that every fire season, over one-third of our 30+ wildland fire crew members have been Douglas High School graduates.
As an agency, we raise funds every Labor Day at a pancake breakfast to support local students in their quest for higher education, and in particular in the field of public service.
Our Community Service - The Protection of Lives and Property scholarship is open to candidates who will be pursuing an education in a field of public service. We hope to inspire our graduates to serve in the healthcare, public safety administration, fire service, or law enforcement fields to give back to the communities they will live in.
Since the inception of our fuels management/wildland firefighter program in 2008, we have awarded paramedic school scholarships averaging $10,000 per year to Zephyr Crew members. With the success of our pancake breakfasts, we have now been able to increase our high school scholarships to $500 each for each of the Douglas County schools, thus bringing our scholarship donations to close to $120,000 in the past decade.
This year's recipient of the Community Service - The Protection of Lives and Property scholarship is Alexa Moss, daughter of Kerri and Todd Moss. In the fall, Alexa will be attending California State University, Sacramento to play Division I soccer and to become a nurse for pediatric oncology. Congratulations, Alexa!
TDFPD appreciates Derrick and his team's commitment and service, and we are proud to have members of our organization, like Derrick, who are willing to selflessly provide medical aid and other services to those in such desperate need.
Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13, and we are encouraging people to "Look. Listen. Learn." Check out this press release to find out what this year's campaign is all about.
Tahoe Douglas Fire is pleased to announce the promotion of Firefighter/Paramedic Jesse McDonald to the position of Engineer.
Before settling into a career in the fire service, Jesse spent time as a life guard, a construction laborer, a dental technician/manager, and a custom shipping crate builder. He received his paramedic certification in 2011 from REMSA, where he gained field experience until he joined TDFPD in 2013. He earned preceptor status while still on probation and helped others in his SAFER hire group grow in skill and confidence as paramedics. He has also served as a valued member of the EMS Steering Committee and as the CQI Coordinator for B-Shift, again contributing to development and competency levels of our paramedics. Jesse completed engineer academies in 2015 & 2017 in preparation for this promotion. McDonald has earned his AA degree in Fire Science at TMCC and is working on a BS in emergency management.
Congratulations, Engineer McDonald.
Tahoe Douglas Fire is pleased to announce the promotion of Engineer Nathan Johnson to the position of Captain.
Nathan started his career in 1995 in Michigan, and upon his relocation to Reno, gained skill and knowledge as a paramedic for 10 years at REMSA. In 2007, he became a firefighter/paramedic with Storey County Fire and joined TDFPD in 2010, quickly becoming an EMS preceptor, a CQI representative, and earning his certification as a Critical Care Paramedic. With Tahoe Douglas, he built on those strong medical skills by becoming a rope rescue technician (2012), confined space rescue technician (2013), hazardous materials technician (2013), and an explosive ordinance disposal technician (2014).
His personal interests in water/watercraft led him to develop a sustainable water rescue proposal which, when approved, halted the possible sale of equipment. Nathan then went on to implement improved training and to recommend the purchase of additional water rescue equipment which made the existing assets more viable to the District. Then in 2017, he was a vital member of the fire boat group which committed countless hours to recommend the best and safest design features for a new fire boat, draft related procedures and training, and educate his fellow firefighters on boat operations.
He has also served as Local 2441 Negotiation Chair and President and a member of our Color Guard.
Captain Johnson has a BS from American Military University in Emergency Management, and is currently working towards a master's degree in Homeland Security from Pennsylvania State University.
Congratulations, Captain Johnson.
Check out last year's Pancake Breakfast in this video and join us this Saturday, September 1 for this year's Pancake Breakfast - lots of activities and fun for the whole family!
TDFPD Captain Andy Isenberg and his wife, Jasper, who teaches science, anatomy and physiology, honors biology, and AP environmental science joined TDFPD Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Pruitt, high school students, and chaperones, on a recent trip to Costa Rica to experience the beautiful environment and culture for ten days. During the trip, 26 students from the Academy of Arts, Career and Technology in Reno hiked through the rain forest, zip lined through the cloud forest, swam in the ocean, scouted sloths and other wildlife, learned about the culture, and experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity. The tour group, WorldStrides, creates authentic travel opportunities for students to experience everything that a country has to offer, and the students earn three college credits through the University of San Diego for the experience.
Captain Isenberg and Jasper have already committed to their next chaperoning adventure for Spring break 2019 in Iceland. TDFPD appreciates their commitment, mentorship, and guidance in these experiences for our local students and future leaders.
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LAKE TAHOE BASIN WILDFIRE AWARENESS MONTH - JUNE 2018
Prepare now - wildfire knows no season!
Is yard work on your schedule this weekend? Here are some options for discarding the pine needles and pine cones from this winter.
South Tahoe Refuse will pick up six 32 gallon bags of yard waste from May 22-24 for Nevada customers on your regularly scheduled pick up day.
Spring open burning should be open in the next month. A notice will appear here on this site.
Compost Your Combustibles for free dumping of yard waste at the Heavenly Lower Stagecoach Lodge parking lot will be open from May 25-July 8 (please note the change in location - please do not leave yard waste at the Boulder parking lot).
Curbside chipping will be available from the Zephyr Crew after May 23. Community Work Days will also be returning this summer. Watch this site for more information on dates and locations.
Visit http://tahoefire.org/wildland-fire-division or www.livingwithfire.info/tahoe for information on defensible space and fuels reduction.
Promotion – Prather
Engineer Steve Prather has been promoted to the position of Captain.
Steve has been instrumental in updating the Engineer manual, and has organized, assisted, and instructed two fire academy programs. As an Engineer, Steve took the lead on the driving and pre-trip portions of the Engineer exam and obtained “third party certifier” status with the NV DMV for testing personnel. He has actively been involved with creating the Probationary Firefighter and Engineer taskbooks, thus improving the consistency and quality of probationary and promotional applicants. He has served as an Acting Captain since 2013 and worked diligently on the District’s overtime tracking system.
Steve graduated from Douglas High School, attended classes at UNR and TMCC; began his career with the City of Upland as a firefighter technician, and joined the District in 2006. Steve has an AA in Fire Science from Mt. San Antonio College, obtained his paramedic certification from Crafton Hills College, and has a BA in Disaster and Emergency Management.
Captain Prather will be assigned to C-Shift.
Promotion – Robidart
Firefighter/Paramedic Nick Robidart has been promoted to rank of Engineer, to fill the opening left by Captain Prather.
Nick was hired at Tahoe Douglas FPD in 2013 as a member of the first SAFER grant award, a class of thirteen new hires. He has represented Tahoe Douglas FPD in the region as a single resource and as part of a strike team on numerous wildland fire assignments in the past five years. He has also been active with public education programs in the district and has been working towards his AA in Fire Science. Since the beginning of his employment with TDFPD, Nick has volunteered to assist in every promotional exam for the ranks of Engineer and Captain. These extra assignments gave him insight as to the expectations and desired skill levels that must be demonstrated for promotions.
Nick has a BA in International Relations from UC Santa Barbara with Spanish as a second language. He completed his EMT-B training at LTCC and attended NCTI of Roseville for paramedic school, ranking third in his class.
Engineer Robidart will be assigned to A-Shift.
Congratulations Captain Prather and Engineer Robidart.
Captain Bryce Cranch has been promoted to the position of Battalion Chief, filling the vacancy left by retiring BC, Rich Nalder.
Bryce has been with the District for 13 years, promoting through the ranks of Firefighter/Paramedic, Engineer, and Captain. He has built experience by serving on special projects like the engine design team, working closely with our vendor and mechanic negotiating features, pricing, and delivery of the engine ahead of schedule and under budget. He has also been active with the EMS program as a paramedic preceptor and instructor, proctoring skills tests and streamlining our continuing education process.
Under his leadership, the District public education program has expanded with partner agencies and developed an excellent working relationship with our educators. With this responsibility, Bryce proved he can serve effectively in virtually any public education event. In 2011, Bryce's professionalism, compassion, and dedication to this community were acknowledged by the Tahoe-Douglas Rotary through their Community Hero Award.
In 2013, Bryce served as a Training Captain, which is a position designed to aid in coordinating the training efforts for 12 firefighters who were hired through SAFER grant funding. Bryce was placed in a leadership role at the Regional Fire Academy, responsible for the administrative functions of the 29 cadet academy. Following the successful academy, he was tasked with developing a curriculum for TDFPD's first Engineer Academy and Captain Academy that would provide consistent information and training opportunities for our firefighters. He took the lead in the subsequent Engineer and Captain tests developing locations, scenarios, score sheets, drill narratives, and scripts and coordinating resources.
He has developed and maintained excellent inter-agency relationships through his work with the Regional Fire Academy, his involvement with promotional testing at other agencies, and his strike team assignments out of district to aid our neighbors.
Bryce is committed to teaching and mentoring others, leading by example, and maintaining a positive and professional attitude in even the most challenging, chaotic, and emotional situations.
He has earned a BS in Business Administration from SDSU, attended paramedic school with TMCC, and obtained an AAS in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University. As a homeowner in the fire district and an active community volunteer, Bryce has become well known among our resident community.
Chief Cranch has assumed responsibilities for B Shift and the duties of EMS chief. We are proud and honored to serve our community with him.