Author Archive: OVFD Webmaster

Virgo Fundraising Challenge

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Oh, it's on now.

Oh, it's on now.

It began when admitted Virgo and known instigator Erin decided to start a fundraiser for her upcoming birthday.  Not to be outdone, fellow Virgo Vikki decided to up the stakes.  Together, they challenged paramedic student and notoriously competitive competition competer Travis to join in, and the Great Virgo Fundraising War of 2018 began.
Of course, senior Virgo and Mistress of the Monies Penny was never going to let this pass unanswered.  Showing the young people how it's meant to be done, she'll be doing a double match of all contributions to her fundraiser up to $1000 and 1-to-1 match for contributions up to the $2000 mark.
This is the face of a man who knows he's going to win.

This is the face of a man who knows he's going to win.

Now it's a race to see who can get the most donations by mid-September, but in true Virgo fashion, these crafty, service-oriented emergency responders have created a situation where no matter who loses, everyone will win, including our beloved community.  All told, if all those fundraising bars fill up, we'll raise $7500 for OVFD, funds very much needed for our new fire hall.  There's probably a million other things the Fire Department needs, but thankfully we have all these detail oriented neat freaks on our team to keep track of that stuff amirite?  They're probably making bullet-pointed lists, flow charts, and spreadsheets to prioritize everything even as we speak.  Still, we love these nerds, even if they're probably going to argue about the optimal way to organize the new rescue rig until the end of time.

 

Pick your Virgo folks: Erin, Vikki, Travis, Penny

 

Look at this instigator, instigating things. Probably plotting more potential philanthropy involving other people's precious pay presently.

Look at this instigator, instigating things. Probably plotting more potential philanthropy involving other people's precious pay presently.

Penny has more important things to do than worry about the three kids challenging her authority as Queen Virgo. Like keeping tabs on this big kid.

Penny has more important things to do than worry about the three kids challenging her authority as Queen Virgo. Like keeping tabs on this big kid.

Of course, these social media mavens have all decided to do their fundraisers on Facebook, and we know that doesn't work for everyone.  You can always send us money via
Paypal: treasurer@orleansvfd.org or
mail us a check: PO Box 312 in Orleans California.

August 2018 Press Release

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Northern Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department Ramps Up Efforts

Press Release
Orleans Volunteer Fire Department

For Immediate Release: August 27, 2018

For More Information: 

                                                   Jesse Myers, Fire Chief
                                                   530-509-5218,
                                                   jmgoodwood@hotmail.com

                                                  Penny Eckert, Treasurer/EMT
                                                  530-605-8964,
                                                  pjeckert@gmail.com

  

Northern Humboldt Volunteer Fire Department Ramps Up Efforts

Orleans Fire Department receives Coast Central Grant and prepares for major infrastructure building project and fundraising.

Orleans, CA - Amid some of the largest wildfires California has ever seen, the dedicated volunteers of the Orleans Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) are responding at all hours to a wide variety of emergencies, from wildland and structure fires to medical emergencies and vehicle accidents.

The 35-mile-long response area is encompassed by the beautiful mountainous canyons along Highway 96 and the Klamath River. A vehicle accident in the Klamath River corridor can result in the vehicle off the road on a steep drop-off towards the river, accessible only by a technical rescue team.

The OVFD is now better able to act as their own tactical rescue team after receiving the Coast Central Credit Union Dean G. Christensen Community Investment Program Grant which has allowed the department to purchase more modern and safe rope rescue equipment.

“This equipment will enable dramatic improvements in response time as well as rescuer and patient safety when responding to over-the-bank incidents,” says Penny Eckert, Treasurer and EMT.

Along with this generous grant for rope rescue equipment, in April 2018, OVFD was awarded a grant from the federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant program to purchase a new much- needed rescue vehicle to replace their ancient Ford F250. Deep South Fire Trucks has built and delivered the new vehicle, replacing the 1988 truck OVFD has relied on for medical response for many years.

In addition to new equipment and a new vehicle, the OVFD is always actively recruiting new volunteers.  Recently several younger members of the community have stepped up, supplementing the volunteers who have been responding for decades and providing new energy and life to the department.

“People should join us, there's lots of skills we draw from, and it’s good community based work,” says Vikki Preston, a Firefighter, Medical Responder, and the granddaughter of OVFD’s first Fire Chief.

OVFD has also begun building a new fire station to replace its current unsafe and undersized fire hall, built before the 1964 flood, and rebuilt following the devastating flood event. This huge endeavor has received support from the Humboldt County Fire Chiefs Association, Measure Z funds, Caltrans, local businesses, many local donors, and a generous property owner in Orleans who has donated land for the new firehall.Though OVFD has a solid base of skilled volunteer builders, there  still is a need for materials and we are actively exploring funding options to complete the new fire station.

The Orleans Volunteer Fire Department wants to thank the Humboldt County Fire Chiefs Association and the Measure Z sales tax initiative voted on by residents of Humboldt County. Both have been a great support to the Fire Department by providing much needed up-to-date fire related equipment: handheld and mobile radios, structure fire turnouts, wildland fire protective gear, self-contained breathing apparatus, and a modern structure fire truck, obtained through Brindle Mountain Fire Apparatus.

OVFD also wants to thank residents of Orleans and Humboldt County for continued support in helping us provide fire and medical support to our rural mid-Klamath community.