Fire Suppression Overview
All of our fire suppression personnel are certified to the California State Firefighter II level and are actively involved in the California Incident Command Certification Program. They are consistently trained throughout their employment to ensure all skills are maintained at the highest level possible. In addition, many of our fire suppression personnel maintain Paramedic certification allowing them to perform advanced life support (the ability to monitor the heart, establish intravenous lines and administer medications/drugs in a pre-hospital setting), on non-transport paramedic engine companies.
At Ross Valley Fire Department, we pride ourselves on providing the latest technology and training in the fire suppression arena to our customers. We maintain a state-of-the-art live fire simulation trailer, the only one of its kind in Marin County, used to train firefighters in interior firefighting techniques that improve our ability to rapidly extinguish fires and conduct safe effective search and rescue operations inside buildings.
Live Burn Trailer
In 2002, Ross Valley received a FEMA "Assistance to Firefighters" grant to purchase a live fire burn trailer to train firefighters. The trailer gives firefighters the opportunity to train in realistic live fire conditions,something that would be very difficult to do otherwise. More than 500 firefighters have been trained in the unit, including each of Ross Valley Fire Department's Department's 41 members, both paid and volunteer, new recruits and veterans, and firefighters from each of the different Marin County fire agencies.
The trailer also has been used for training outside of Marin County at programs such as the Santa Rosa Fire Academy, and California Fire Explorer Academy. In February 2004, the trailer was taken to the Firehouse World Exposition and Conference in San Diego, where more than 150 firefighters received training.
Pierce "All Steer" Fire Engines
Each of Ross Valley Fire Department's four primary fire engines feature the exclusive Pierce ALL STEER® electronic all-wheel steering. Pierce is the only manufacturer in the fire service to provide heavy-duty, electronic all-wheel steering.
The ALL STEER system improves a a fire engine's turning radius by up to 30 percent to enhance the Fire Department's ability to negotiate narrow, obstructed, hillside streets.
Volunteer Firefighters
Ross Valley Fire Department's full-time, professional personnel are supported by citizen volunteer firefighters who undergo extensive training and commit to protecting the community they live in.
Volunteer firefighters enjoy a long tradition in the United States and in the Ross Valley. Ross, Fairfax, and San Anselmo Fire Departments were originally staffed a century ago by all volunteer forces, a system that was slowly supplanted by full-time professional forces as the job of a firefighter became more complex, and an increasing number of incidents strained the all volunteer fire departments.
Thermal Imaging Cameras
Ross Valley Fire Department has adopted state-of-the-art, lightweight, thermal imaging cameras designed to help give “sight” to firefighters inside a burning building. These compact devices are ergonomically shaped to fit in the palm of a firefighter’s hand, featuring an easy one-button operation, quality images, and 1000 degree dynamic range.
Firefighters traditionally searched buildings "blind" during fires, making this dangerous process slow and cumbersome in dark, smoke filled environments. Thermal Imaging Camera technology, firefighters can perform searches more quickly and thoroughly, saving lives and reducing firefighter risk.
Town of San Anselmo - Town of Fairfax - Town of Ross - Sleepy Hollow Fire Protection District
