About the PVFA
The Pioneer Volunteer Firefighters Association is comprised of firefighters, medical responders and community members who choose to volunteer their time and who are committed to our relationship with the Pioneer Fire Protection District and its residents to help provide the very best emergency services possible for the protection of life and property.
Whether it is providing manpower for emergency response, or providing funds to purchase equipment and supplies, or community outreach programs and events, the PVFA has always been a dedicated partner with our fire district, working to successfully reach its goals and objectives.
In past years, we have used money raised through the Crab Banquet events, Auxiliary Flea Markets and raffles and our annual donation letter to provide supplemental funding to our district for the cost of such things as uniforms, personal protective equipment (structure gear), breathing apparatus, training opportunities, medical equipment and supplies, automated external defibrillators, extrication equipment, remodeling of Stations 38 and 31, major engine repairs, the resident firefighter program and paramedic student grants. Additionally, the PVFA has worked with the Department of Transportation, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors, and FEMA for grants that allowed us to obtain an additional utility vehicle, medical supplies, and paramedic services.Last year, through donations of time and money, the PVFA continued to help the district fund its Resident Volunteer Firefighter Program, which puts more firefighters in the district to respond to emergency calls. Additionally, the PVFA was able to help fund a paid call program that offsets the cost of gas for the volunteer firefighters and volunteer medical responders of the PVFA who respond to emergency calls within the district. The PVFA has provided supplemental funding that keeps “The PVFA Turnout” newsletter coming to the residents of the PFPD. This is the PVFA and the PFPD’s best means of communication to keep you informed of what’s happening in the district’s communities of Fair Play, Mount Aukum, Sandridge, Somerset, Outingdale and Grizzly Flats.
Through the Crab Banquet’s efforts in its ninth year, the PVFA was able to provide to the district $20,000 which allowed for the purchase of new extrication equipment for Engine 38, our district’s “first–out” engine housed at Station 38. Providing this new equipment for Engine 38 created a trickle-down effect of extrication equipment that has now reached the furthest end of the PFPD. Some of our older extrication equipment is now placed on Squad 35, which operates out of Station 35 in Grizzly Flats.
The PVFA continues to promote community pride through events such as the Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast for the little ones at Easter, our annual Flea Market that is always a lot of fun, and in the past, Public Safety Day and Chili Cook-offs. At Christmas time, the PVFA identifies a less fortunate family in the district and we deliver (via fire engine) a Christmas tree, groceries, and presents for the kids. The PVFA annually donates to the Pacific Burn Institute for children needing rehabilitation back into the mainstream.
As a way to say thank you to the many community members who in a variety of ways contribute of themselves, we host the PVFA/PFPD Annual Awards and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.
We, the members of PVFA, believe we are not here to gain monetarily from those who help support PFPD and PVFA goals. For this reason, the PVFA has long-term, “hand shake” leases in place with the PFPD for the Willow and Grizzly Flats Fire Stations, which the PVFA owns. We also provide at no charge items such as tables and chairs for events hosted by the Fire Safe Councils within our district because they are working diligently to help our residents become better educated in clean-up and defensible space efforts.
Additionally, this year, the PVFA has made some headway on the Willow Schoolhouse restoration project with clean-up, and we hope to see new windows installed before the onset of winter. And, for the first time ever, we have earmarked funds toward the restoration of our 1937 Dodge parade engine that will some day be a highlight at association and district events, including local and neighboring district parades.
The Pioneer Volunteer Firefighters Association continues to support the Pioneer Fire Protection District and its residents in its efforts to provide the best possible fire and medical service and education to our communities’ citizens. We cannot do this without continued support from people such as you.
Thank you for supporting the PVFA.Brian Bendix
Volunteer Firefighter, Chairman
Pioneer Volunteer Firefighters Association
