Sonoita-Elgin Fire District
Working for a Safer Community
www.sefd911.org
Chief Joseph DeWolf
The Sonoita-Elgin Fire District offers a wide
array of services to
Protect, Serve and Educate the Public
Paramedic school takes time and dedication. I completed the course in ten months at Pima Community College at their campus located in Tucson, just south of I-10, on Park Avenue. The course instruction included both lecture and clinical time. Lectures were held two days a week. Students were required to complete 55 college credit hours and 505 hours of clinical time in the field and at fire station.
One of the tasks to be completed was an independent research paper. My paper discussed a proposal for a different, although not new, concept for drowning victims. Current CPR Guidelines call for the initiation of CPR right away. I researched the possibility of using an endotracheal tube to secure the airway and allow for draining or suctioning water from the lungs before beginning CPR ventilations. This would prolong CPR by approximately one minute.
One of the Pima College
Instructors contacted me
and suggested submitting
my paper for publishing
in an EMS magazine.
Who knows, maybe you’ll
see the publication soon!
Capt. Kathe Prentice
I responded to my first emergency as a Fire Explorer at the age of 13. Since then, I have had a passion for the fire service and a determination to move the fire service forward. I have spent 7 years as a firefighter, 5 of those as a EMT and Paramedic. I am currently a Junior working towards the completion of my Bachelors in Fire Science Administration.
I feel as if I have found my home here in Sonoita. The community and crews I work with are tremendous. Recently, the Fire District sent Captain Anthis, Firefighters Jackson and Belt, and myself to Fire Instructor Training. With this certification we will be able to provide in-house training to District personnel and other men and women who desire to become firefighters.
We have scheduled several firefighting classes for the upcoming months as well as a First Responder Class. The Fire Academy will begin this December. If you’re interested, contact myself (Joseph O’Brien) or Captain Anthis at 520-455-5854.
Capt. Joseph O’Brien
2
Board Members
Ron Izzo - Chair
Doug Ruppel - Clerk
Jerry Bianchi - Treasurer
Ian Tomlinson
Larry Pfitzenmaier
Chairman of the Board...
From motor vehicle accidents to heart attacks, most of our time and money is spent on providing emergency medical services. If I get bucked off a horse and hit my head, (it could happen) or when my wife has a heart attack scare (that has happened), I want the best emergency medical care I can get. When seconds count, I want the paramedic that comes to save my life experienced and well equipped.
Tax dollars that go to our Fire District are well spent and every penny stays right here. Each year we face a budget crisis trying to balance the needs of the District with the wishes of the people. I would hope that all of you take interest in our public hearing process. When that time comes again, just ask yourself--is it worth it?
Treasurer’s Comments...
The role of Treasurer as set out in the Policy Manual is to review monthly budget reports with the Chief and report the status to the Board. In addition the Treasurer performs all bank reconciliations and is the chairman of the Audit Committee. The revenues of the current budget come mainly from the taxes (66%) and ambulance income (23%). The major expenses are payroll and benefits (63%). The tardiness of the County Treasurer in sending out tax bills may require the District to borrow funds until it begins to receive tax revenue in mid December. Citizen volunteers help to keep costs down, so volunteer if you can.
Each Idea is Worth Talking About...
I want your ideas. I ask that you send, directly to me, any ideas you may have that you feel will control expenditures while maintaining or increasing our current level of service. While I cannot promise that we can implement everyone’s ideas, I can promise you that every idea will be given serious consideration and I will reply directly to you as to the status of your recommendation. Every idea is worth talking about!
Joseph M. DeWolf. sefdchief@gmail.com 455-5854
Highway 83 Trimming - Thanks to the Department of Corrections Crew, State Highway 83 received a haircut between mileposts 38 & 39, the same location where last years Empire Fire crossed the road moving west to east. Hopefully this will cut down the risk of fire traveling across the road this next fire season.
Volunteer Recruitment at the County Fair... The Santa Cruz County Fair was well attended by young and old alike. Youngsters had lots of fun learning about administering CPR, becoming a volunteer and meeting with Fire Belle the Fire Clown as she interacted with them and introduced concepts of fire prevention and fire safety. The District had information and equipment displayed on fire safety, fire prevention, Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation, and the need for Dispatchers to join the Fire District.
Time to Mow...
Our 2011 Wildfire season demonstrated that the need for creating good defensible space around homeowners’ properties within the District was more important than ever. Five thousand acres of grasslands burned this past spring and fire burned around a dozen homes in the Sonoita-Elgin Area. Defensible space works!
Now is the time to mow, trim and prune around your home. If you need a hand, give the SEFD Fire Mitigation Crew a call at 455-5854.
Captain Christopher Anthis...
Capt. Anthis joined the team in June of this year. He is a Paramedic/Firefighter who has been in the industry for 20 years. Prior to joining SEFD, he has held the position of Engine Boss for the past 16 years. His duties here include assisting the Chief in developing a Wildland Program for the District. The goal of the program is to ensure firefighter and public safety through proper training, staffing and equipment. The goals of the program are as follows:
- Provide for firefighter and public safety
- Within 3 years develop a 20 person hand crew with
associated equipment.
- Have a Type 3 Engine with 2 Water Tenders
- Develop 1 Engine Boss per shift within 5 years
Place your Business Card Advertisement here
for only $100 and cover over 1200 addresses in the
Sonoita-Elgin -Canelo and Patagonia areas
for less than 9¢ per household.
Contact Katie @ 455-5854 by March 12, 2012.
Saving Lives and Property through Advance Planning
As many of you have contacted us individually with questions concerning fire safety, fire prevention and how to safely evacuate yourselves, your animals and your loved ones in the event of a fire, we introduce this national initiative that has been tailored to suit our geographic area, teaches our community members the best way to react and respond to an emergency situation.
Ready – Preparing for the Fire Threat
Create, Ensure, Plan, Designate, Assemble, Appoint, Maintain - verbs that will direct you to be READY to evacuate your home in the event of an emergency.
Set – Situational Awareness when a Fire Starts
Create checklists for Inside and Outside of your home to facilitate the safe and efficient evacuation of your property.
Go – Leave Early
Answer the question of when to leave, where to go, how to get there, and what to take. Prepare an emergency kit!
During High Fire Danger days in your area, monitor your local media for information and be ready to implement your plan. Hot, dry and windy conditions create the perfect environment for a wildland fire.
Join us Friday, February 17, 2012 at 6 p.m. as we introduce a new prevention program known as Ready, Set, Go!
READY, SET, GO!
The Heart of EMS & Fire Response...
Dispatchers are the heart of our EMS/Fire responses. We are in need of 5 more Dispatchers. You can choose to work a 12 or 24 hour shift. Monitor your radio while at home and respond to the station once you hear an emergency alert tone. Learn to use a radio, provide communications for units responding to incidents, relay information to units on scene and interact with other local, state and federal communications centers. Minimum age requirement is 16 years. A great way to serve your community and have FUN!
Ambulance News...
We’ve been providing Ambulance Service for one full year now. We’re averaging around 21 transports per month. Our collections are running between $15,00-$20,000 per month which is right on track for our FY2011-2012 Budget.
Sonoita-Elgin Fire District
P.O. Box 322
Sonoita, AZ 85637
Permit #2
Postage Paid
Sonoita, AZ
85637
District Reponse Area
Cornonado National Forest - 105
State Land - 43
Bureau of Land Management - 60
Private Ownership - 142
Total... 350 square miles
Ambulance Response Area
725 square miles
FY2011-12 Budget
$1,073,228.
Emergency - dial 911
Station - 455-5854
Station Fax - 455-5361
Postal Customer
Sonoita, AZ 85637
