PIERCY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

PIERCY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2025

Dear Piercy Resident,

This letter is to provide you with updates from the Piercy Fire Protection District (PFPD) and the Piercy Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD). For those new to the area, Piercy was founded in 1920 by Charles C and Leila Medcalf Kirk. Besides having the first Post Office, he was appointed as the local Fire Marshall in the early 1940’s. When his son, Charles E. Kirk returned from WWII in 1946, he established the Piercy Volunteer Fire Department and became Fire Chief. Since then, many good neighbors have served on the PFPD and PVFD.

Our thanks to those dedicated souls for their contributions to our community. Throughout the passing years Volunteers have increased and decreased due to population levels, local jobs and affordable housing. Piercy currently has four responders. This is an example of what is currently happening on local, State and National levels. Fortunately, we have mutual aid agreements with Leggett VFD, Garberville VFD and CalFire. We are actively investigating solutions to increase the size and availability of Volunteers.

To jump ahead, beginning in 2009, Patrick Landergen was appointed Fire Chief. Our Volunteers have completed the 18-week Mendocino County Firefighters Academy and various other CalFire training programs and certifications (some include Class 1A Driver/Engineer, Class 1B Engineer, Search & Rescue/Water Recovery, CPR classes, EMT classes (12-week course). Due to an open position on the PFPD, President Jeff Hedin appointed Larry Casteel to complete the three-person Commission until the next County election (per County regulations). In 2023, John Laudenschlager (a former Piercy Volunteer Firefighter) replaced Commissioner Ed Ryan. PFPD began to provide additional vehicles and funding for the PVFD as follows :

• Purchased Vehicles, 2013-2023: Two Type 6 Engines, one Type 3 Engine, one new Search and Rescue Van, Total $ 139.698.00 ($ 49,000.00 came from PG&E Grant Funding).

• USPS-FEPP (Loaned Federal Excess Property), 2014-2024: Type 3 Engine, ATV Search and Rescue Vehicle, 1,500 Gallon Water Tender.

• STATE GRANT FUNDING By Senator McGuire for ten Fire Districts, $ 2,000,000.00.: New Type 6 Engine (ours approximately $ 230,000) Delivery approximately year end 2025.

• CALFIRE GRANTS 2012-2020 (restricted to only basic firefighting equipment and supplies). Total $ 32,785.00

• CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION, 2023: Total $ 20,000.00 (Firefighting equipment only)

  Through the County of Mendocino tax funding, all Fire Districts receive designated amounts from Prop 172, Measure D (TOT), Measure P. Our current annual funding for PFPD is approximately $ 120,000.00. Funds are held in Mendocino County Treasury and released by submitted payment voucher system.

In 2009, the PFPD accepted fiscal responsibility for the failing Piercy Community Hall. As part of an effort to reconnect residents, in 2011 an annual event “Fall Celebration” (dinner, live music, raffle and silent auction) began. This was followed by an annual “Pancake Breakfast” (hot breakfast, flea market/crafts sales) in 2017. Grants have made positive changes to the Hall. They are as follows:

• Community Foundation of Mendocino County Grants, 2015-2023: Kitchen, Bathrooms, Hallway (including fixtures, plumbing, flooring); Front deck/stairs/Side deck/stairs and ADA ramp/handrails; Emergency power propane generator: Total $ 22,500.00 (District matched these funds)

• Mendocino County Fire Safe Council, 2024: 2,500 Gallon Water Tank, Water Filtering System, Exterior Solar Lights, Total $ 4,550.00

• NCRP - MCRCD Water Tanks Grant (all Federal funds controlled by MCRCD) 2024-2026: Four Water tanks using catchment system including gutters/installation; Two tanks at Community Hall and two tanks at Piercy Fire Department. Total approx.$. 80,000.00.

• Mendocino County Funds and PFPD savings were used for the following: 2018 paving of dirt road from Hwy 271 up to the Hall 2023 full replacement of Hall shingled roof. 2024 new foundation siding including painting 2024 new fenced-in child’s playground kit

  
  

Between the years of 2018-2024, the PFPD developed a variety of ways to communicate with the community. These include USPS mailers, Town Hall meetings with fire-related speakers, “Resident Information” forms, public posters and a website, piercyfire.org (which has a QR code). A large, roofed outdoor bulletin board is located next to the Piercy mailboxes (near the junction of Hwy 101 and Hwy 271). In 2022, the PFPD and PVFD distributed their first edition of an “Emergency Evacuation Information” Handbook. An updated version, Edition 2025-1 will be available at the upcoming “Pancake Breakfast”, Saturday, 4-26-2025, 8 a m – noon in the Piercy Community Hall.

The Hall continues a rental program which has included birthday and anniversary parties, baby showers, weddings, memorials, fundraisers, club meetings, exercise and dance classes, tribal events, and Piercy “Open to the Public” lectures, demonstrations and workshops. Contact Larry Casteel regarding Rentals, 707-247-4125

We are updating our Piercy Emergency Phone Tree. Contact Pattie Watson, Email only please: piercypattie2016@gmail.com or P O Box 206, Piercy CA 95877

New Project: We are gathering Historical memories of the PVFD and PFPD since their inception. Share your factual and antidotal stories. Please send to our P O Box 206, Piercy CA 95877 or Jeff Hedin at jeffatstandish@gmail.com

“ASKING FOR HELP”

PFPD and PVFD can always use a helping hand. Any type of assistance is appreciated. Do you have a special interest that might be of help in our community? We look forward to hearing from you. Mark on this page your interest, name and contact information and forward to P O Box 206, Piercy CA 95587 or scan and email to judithcasteel@gmail.com.

____ Advertising (newsletter, flyer, poster, radio, websites, Facebook, Instagram, etc)

____ Assisting the Community Hall “Piercy Emergency Shelter” Project

____ Assisting the PVFD

____ Assisting the PFPD

____ CERT Program (watch for upcoming news on this special community training)

____ Construction at the Community Hall/Church and/or the Firehouse

____ Creating promotional materials

____ Event Planning (watch for upcoming new series “MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR”

____ Event Work: set up/take down, cleaning, etc.

____ Ham Radio Team (watch for upcoming news on this new program)

____ Maintenance of Hall/Church and/or Firehouse

____ Maintenance of Landscape at Hall/Church and/or Firehouse

____ Maintain Current Piercy Emergency Phone List

____ Organize Special Meetings, Lectures, Demonstrations, etc.

____ Public Speaking on behalf of PFPD and PVFD

____ OTHER