The money is part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, which is managed by the Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness. “Through these funds, we will ensure that our nation’s emergency responders have the equipment and training they need to respond to all hazards,” Ridge stated. “We are much better equipped to do the interior (fire) attacks.”įallen Leaf Fire Department’s grant was one of 271 distributed to fire departments across the nation, Secretary Tom Ridge announced last week. Dave Bunnett, a Fallen Leaf fire volunteer since 1987. Chris has done so much to make our department as safe as possible,” said Capt. The 15 breathing apparatuses, which will replace those donated by Tahoe-Douglas Fire Department around 1990, will be distributed among the three fire engines, fire boat and chief’s vehicle. He got the department in good shape.“They’re in pretty poor shape,” Sauer said.įor the past couple of years, the department purchased one set of clothes. Dave Bunnett, a Fallen Leaf fire volunteer since the mid-1980s, Sauer returned two years ago. In 1994 he became fire chief but left the area in 1998 when he joined Doctors Without Borders, a nonprofit organization that delivers medical aid to people who lack health care. Sauer began his stint at Fallen Leaf Fire Department in 1990 as a volunteer. “When Chris was level 2 he never missed a shift. “We have a requirement that after they reach level 2 status, volunteers pull 24-hour shifts once a month,” Douglass said. Prior to becoming Fallen Leaf’s fire chief, Sauer was a reserve with the South Lake Tahoe Fire Department.īattalion Chief Scott Douglass recalled the dedicated Sauer. The comfortableness is, in part, due to Sauer.
Regular Tuesday night training sessions helped the real estate investor become comfortable with calls. “I’ve always known and respected the fire department here,” Adams added. There’s a family legacy, not just with me but so many people who come to Fallen Leaf. “What I like about Fallen Leaf is it hasn’t changed to any dramatic state in my lifetime,” Adams said. The summer resident didn’t have any fire or medical background, but he did have knowledge of Fallen Leaf Lake, a place where his family has owned a cabin since 1936. Adams was turned on to the idea of volunteering when Sauer called Adams’ son, a senior at Berkeley, requesting help. While some volunteers have been with the department for 20-plus years, Glenn Adams is in his second year.
Fallen leaf lake fire department license#
In addition, they must be at least 18, have a valid driver’s license and train twice a month. Volunteers must live or work at Fallen Leaf a minimum of 30 hours per week. Community support raised the $300,000 needed to cover construction costs. Prior to 2000, the department even lacked a station. Volunteer firefighters have been around Fallen Leaf Lake since the 1940s, but it wasn’t until 1982 that the department became a community service district, Sauer said. Sauer said county officials assured the money would not be cut. At risk was 40 percent of the department’s $115,000 annual budget which is supplied by the county. “If we were busy with calls, it wouldn’t be what it is,” he said.Īlthough small, the department has not been been able to avoid California’s budget crisis. Sauer doesn’t mind that the calls seem rather mild compared to those received in a city. Calls, which average about 30 per year, range from requests for mutual aid on wildland fires, assistance with injured hikers to help pulling swamped boats from the lake. During the winter the station is empty, but checked and heated, as volunteers stay at their residences and keep their pagers on.įallen Leaf’s population swells from about 25 in the winter to 1,000 during the summer. Sauer mans the department by himself from May through October.
Sauer holds the distinction of fire chief, one of two paid positions at the department which is comprised of 18 volunteers, some of whom only who live at the lake when the snow has disappeared.
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