THOUSAND OAKS — The Ventura County Fire Department congratulates the Woodridge Homeowners Association in Thousand Oaks, the Rancho Matilija neighborhood in Ojai and the Piru community for earning recognition from the National Fire Protection Association as Firewise USA communities.
“The risk of wildfire is ever present in Ventura County,” Fire Marshal Joe Morelli said. “We applaud these communities for doing all they can to reduce some of that risk.”
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Fire Department announced its selection of Joe Morelli as its next fire marshal.
“I am pleased to have Joe Morelli join our department as fire marshal,” Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. “He brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and familiarity with Ventura County to this role, which leads our efforts to keep people safe by reducing the risk of fire in our community, commercial buildings, and homes.”
Donating the Fire District’s surplus heavy-duty utility truck to the Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) will provide them with the ability to carry needed equipment to the scene of an emergency safely and expeditiously and is an effective use of County and Simi Valley Police Department resources.
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) received an $86,880 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to educate the community on preventing motor vehicle injuries to children, the agency announced (Nov. 15).
This funding will support VCFD’s mission to raise awareness and educate the community on preventing motor vehicle injuries to children. The grant will facilitate a range of vital initiatives aimed at enhancing child passenger safety within Ventura County.
The California Office of Traffic Safety’s investment in our community underscores the shared commitment to protecting our youngest residents while traveling on our roadways.
“Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our community,” stated Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. “This grant will help us strengthen our initiatives in child passenger safety and raise awareness about the importance of properly securing children in vehicles.”
CAMARILLO — The Ventura County Fire Department congratulates the Golden Oaks neighborhood in Ojai, which became the sixth community in Ventura County to earn recognition from the National Fire Protection Association’s Firewise USA program.
Firewise recognizes communities that organize to reduce their wildfire risk by following best practices for vegetation management and home hardening.
“Ventura County has experienced devastating wildfires in recent years,” Fire Marshal Massoud Araghi said. “When neighborhoods come together to create defensible spaces and make it harder for embers to light buildings on fire, it significantly reduces the risk for the entire community.”
The Ventura County Fire Department honored 59 people today for their outstanding service in support of public safety during the 26th annual VCFD Awards.
“Each of the people honored today rose to the occasion to enhance public safety in our community,” Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. “They exemplify excellence. And some went far, far above expectations to save lives. They are role models and inspirations for all of us to emulate.”
Captain Zach Trottier, Engineer Logan Hershman, Firefighter Austyn Frailey and Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy Austin Whittaker received Medals of Valor for saving a 16-year-old girl and her mother, who were being attacked by six Cane Corso mastiffs and a Pitbull mix in Thousand Oaks. The Medal of Valor is the highest honor the department bestows.
The Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) introduces 19 new firefighter trainees who have successfully completed 20 weeks of intense training at VCFD’s Regional Training Center in Camarillo. Under the leadership of VCFD’s training staff, the trainees of Academy 59 will enter the field this Sunday as they staff fire engines and ladder trucks throughout Ventura County.
Graduating firefighter trainees consistently demonstrated proficiency in all disciplines of firefighting, including structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, vehicle extrication, and emergency medical care to name a few.
Graduation ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday May 27, 2022, directly preceded by recruits showcasing some of the skills learned in the academy in front of an audience. Live demonstrations include a simulated three-story structure fire, ladder evolutions, patient extrication from a simulated vehicle accident and more. Live streaming will be available on our social media platforms as well as our website.
Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) will resume its very popular free Junior Firefighter Academy this summer for girls and boys ages 13 -16. VCFD will offer three, 5-day sessions taught by VCFD firefighters and feature rigorous hands-on activities, interactive learning and field trips.
The week-long sessions are a great first step toward the VCFD Explorer Program because participants will learn what it takes to be a fire firefighter and be introduced to other fire safety careers such as Paramedic, Fire Inspector, Fire Prevention Officer and Dispatch, just to name a few.
The Ventura County Fire Department honored five people for their lifesaving actions, a volunteer of the year and the outstanding achievements of employees with its 25th Annual Awards, announced today.
Each year, the department recognizes firefighters, dispatchers and members of the public who go above and beyond in the service of others. This year’s awards ceremony is being held virtually to maintain safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic. A video of the event is available on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/itSkWxrHE0o. Additionally, it will be broadcast on CAPS Channel 6, starting March 28 at 8 p.m.
VENTURA COUNTY — Firefighter Robby, Ventura County’s favorite mascot, just launched his own video series in partnership with the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD). The premiere of the new “Robby to the Rescue” video series can be viewed by visiting…
