By Jessie Faulkner
The Eureka Times-Standard
Copyright 2007 Times - Standard
All Rights Reserved
KNEELAND, Calif. — The volunteer fire department charged with protecting this mountainous community is dangerously low in numbers.
At present, there are just six volunteer firefighters to protect the 36-square-mile district and two of those are looking to retire.
Fire Chief Jerry West has been a member since 1990. He’s edging closer to age 60 and would like to step down. Another member is 61 and has the same aspirations.
“We usually have a 10-member fire department,” West said.
That changed after a couple of members moved away and others had time conflicts that prevented them from continuing with the department, the chief said.
The Kneeland Fire Protection District Board of Directors also is a little shorthanded with two vacancies, and one of the current members moving out of state, according to Jiki Betts, board secretary and acting treasurer.
However, she said, at least a few community members had expressed interest in serving on the board.
At a meeting Monday, community members, volunteer firefighters and Betts gathered to work on master planning and brainstormed about possible fundraising options.
One priority is generating revenue to finish the fire hall started some 16 years ago. The slab foundation is on a parcel of Pacific Lumber Co. land leased to the district for $1 per year.
While the fire department has a $40 per parcel benefit assessment in place ($20 for undeveloped parcels) -- the resulting $11,000, combined with $5,000 in property tax income, isn’t enough to build the fire hall and meet regular expenses. Most of those funds go for insurance, worker’s compensation and equipment replacement.
“Every time we do get a few dollars ahead,” the fire chief said, “it’s time to replace a piece of equipment.”
The foundation without a building has been complete since 1991. At the time, West said the department estimated adding a metal fire hall would cost $40,000. The ensuing years have seen the cost double to $80,000 and that doesn’t include doors, windows, plumbing or any other essentials, West said.
For several years, Betts said, the hope was that grants would be available to build the structure. However, such grants ranged from $2,500 to $10,000 — too little to pay for the construction.
The department’s three vehicles — a water tender, a fire engine and a medical rescue unit — are stored at the homes of volunteers.
In a typical year, the volunteers respond to between 20 and 35 calls, most of those seeking medical assistance. The numbers are down for 2007, which has seen just two calls for assistance.
For Kneeland resident Tina Girard, the bottom line is having the fire department in place to respond to any and all calls. In 2006, department volunteers stabilized Girard’s 2-year-old daughter after her high fever led to late night seizures.
Girard, who has stated her commitment to raising funds for the department, is hoping other Kneeland residents will do likewise.
“It’s a really important deal,” she said.
Girard and her husband, Sylus, left Eureka about two years ago. They bought the post office building and the home next door. Girard, a stay-at-home mom, is already planning a 20-family yard sale for July and plans to pursue other fundraisers in the near future.
Meanwhile, West said, the board of directors has discussed the possibility of raising the annual benefit assessment — a decision that would rest with the district’s voters. Just how much of an increase hasn’t been discussed, West said.
And, Betts noted, the district doesn’t plan to proceed with that option until there’s a survey of area residents to determine whether there would be community support.