Department History

The Penn Valley Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1955. The Penn Valley Fire Protection District was formed in 1974 and is currently governed by a 5-member Board of Directors, elected at large by the people of the district, and oversees the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 General Operating Fund Budget of approximately $3,043,410.

The Penn Valley Fire Protection District (hereafter referred to as “PVFPD”) covers a 92 square mile service area with an approximate 15,000 population. PVFPD is the only Fire Department with an Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance service in western Nevada County. The district has proudly offered transport services since 1975. They also provide a wide range of fire prevention, technical rescue, wild land fire suppression and hazardous materials services.

State Highway 20 bisects the district running East-West. Pleasant Valley Road, Indian Springs Road and the Rough and Ready Highway run through the District in a North-South direction.

Like other neighboring Districts, PVFPD is mainly comprised of residential and wildland areas. However, much of its population is condensed to a few major centers such as: Penn Valley proper, Lake Wildwood, Kentucky Flat, Mooney Flat and Big Oak Valley.

PVFPD currently has 17 full-time employees and one part-time employee. The following is a breakdown of all agency personnel:

1 - Fire Chief

3 – Captains

3 – Lieutenants

9 – Firefighter/Operator

1 – Financial Administrator

1 – Office Administrator (part-time)

FIRE STATIONS

Station 43 - 10513 Spenceville Road, Penn Valley. Located near the intersection of Spenceville Road and Penn Valley Drive. This station is staffed full-time with 3 personnel daily (1 Duty Officer, 1 Company Officer and 1 Firefighter, one of whom is a paramedic.) Station 43 houses 1 ALS Type I (Urban Interface) Fire Engine, 1 ALS Ambulance, 1 Water Tender, 1 Rescue and 1 Breathing Support Trailer.

Station 44 - 18989 Lake Forest Drive, Penn Valley. Located at the entrance of Lake Wildwood, which is the most concentrated residential area of the district. This station is staffed full-time with 2 personnel daily (1 Lieutenant and 1 Firefighter, one of whom is a paramedic.) Station 44 houses 1 ALS Type I (Urban Interface) Fire Engine, 1 ALS Ambulance and 1 Type III Wildland Engine.

Station 45 – 12370 Bitney Springs Road, Penn Valley. This station is unstaffed and houses 1 Type I (Urban Interface) Reserve Fire Engine and 1 reserve ambulance. Equipment: 4 Fire Engines, 1 Water Tender, 2 Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulances, 2 reserve Ambulances (one of which is housed at R&RFPD Station 59), 1 Rescue, 1 Breathing Support Trailer, and 4 command/utility vehicles.

EQUIPMENT

4 Fire Engines,  1 Water Tender,  2 Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulances,  2 Reserve Ambulances (one of which is housed at Rough & Ready Fire Station #59), 1 Rescue, 1 Breathing Support Trailer and 4 Command/Utility Trailers. 

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Penn Valley Fire Department Auxiliary (PVFDA) is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization independent of the district. PVFDA has a membership of approximately 60 dedicated volunteers and operates the Penn Valley Fire Thrift Shop located behind Station 43. Providing significant revenue to PVFPD, they fund the purchase of fire engines, ambulances, command vehicles, protective gear and specialized medical equipment. They also financially support the Paramedic Scholarship Fund and offer aid to fire victims by providing clothing and other needed items to help recover from fire loss.

Penn Valley Firefighters Association is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization independent of the district. They help fund the Paramedic Scholarship Fund as well as the Carlton Dutra Memorial Scholarship fund, which is for students who are pursuing a fire service or emergency medical service-related degree. Additionally, they purchase valuable equipment for the district that would otherwise not be obtainable within the district’s budget.