TOWN OF YOUNTVILLE
Fire Department Summary
July, August, September
2023
Statistical Analysis
The attached spreadsheet shows a total of 355 calls for the three-month period. This includes the total number of calls responded to by Yountville Station personnel. The breakdowns of emergency calls in the Town of Yountville are as follows:
Medical Aids: 63
Public Assists: 22
Traffic Collisions: 8
Vehicle Fires: 0
Alarm Soundings: 13
Structure Fires: 0
Vegetation Fires: 0
Miscellaneous Fires: 0
Smoke Checks: 0
Rescues: 0
Hazardous Conditions: 2
Tree/Power Lines Down: 2
Of the total 355 calls for service, the breakdown according to response area is as follows:
Town of Yountville: 108 Calls
Veterans Home: 107 Calls
County Areas: 136 Calls
Napa City: 4 Call
Calls for the Veterans Home This Quarter:
Medical Aids: 101 Calls
Alarm Soundings: 3 Calls
Public Assists: 2 Call
Hazardous Conditions: 1 Call
These averages are mostly consistent with history and call analysis. As is typical with virtually all fire departments today, our largest call volume continues to be medical emergencies.
Major Events
Fires:
We have been fortunate not to experience any structure fires or major incidents this quarter. Although the weather is starting to cool, we must keep in mind that vegetation is still dry, and the threat of wildfire remains. Please continue to use safe practices to prevent wildfires for the upcoming quarter.
Special Events:
Veterans Peak Fire Break:
This quarter, Cal Fire crews cut a fire break on the west side of the Veteran’s Home to help protect the home and the town of Yountville from wildfires. A fire break consists of removing vegetation and scraping the ground down to bare mineral soil. In the event of a fire, it will hit the fire break and without a continuity of fuels, it will slow the fire burning towards the Veteran’s Home and Town. The fire break runs for about a mile from north to south and is another proactive measure the department has taken to reduce the impact of wildfires.
Station Visit:
We were lucky enough to have a summer camp from a local Jui Jitsu gym come to visit the station on two occasions. We were able to show a group of children where we live while at work, our fire apparatuses, and some of the tools we use on a daily basis, such as fire hoses and hydraulic extrication tools. Through these kinds of outreach, we hope to familiarize ourselves to the kids so that in an emergency they understand that we are there to help them.
New Equipment:
With the ever-changing advancements in technology, we are also seeing new equipment within the fire service. E12 was the latest among the Napa County Fire Engines to receive new Holmatro Electronic Extrication Tools. E12 was outfitted with battery-powered cutters, spreaders, and a ram to replace our old hydraulic gas-powered tools. These tools are used to cut victims out of vehicles or other entrapments. Having battery-powered tools will make extrication faster, due to a more efficient setup. This will result in expedited medical care for our patients.
Training:
We were able to use a building on Solano Ave. between Napa City and Yountville for training. This building was scheduled to be demolished and provided a good opportunity for our crews to train on structure fire operations. We are constantly training for these scenarios at our training grounds but being able to utilize a real structure provides different opportunities. Being able to pull hose lines through a real structure with furniture, hallways and multiple rooms is more realistic. Also, cutting through roofing with large structural beams for vertical ventilation allows us to hone our skills. These types of opportunities prepare our crews to better protect and serve the residents of Yountville, the Veteran’s Home, and the County of Napa.
Safety Message
Now that we are entering the holiday season, we would like to remind our residents to use safe kitchen practices while making holiday meals. Always keep a fire extinguisher within close reach of the kitchen in case of emergency. We recommend a combination ABC fire extinguisher, this will be appropriate for fires containing ordinary combustibles, liquid fires, or electric fires. If you are planning on deep frying a turkey, ensure the turkey is 100% thawed before exposing it to hot oil and only cook outdoors, away from flammable items. In the event of a cooking fire, call 911, use an appropriate fire extinguisher, if safe to do so, and NEVER apply water to grease or oil fires. Have a safe and happy holidays.