Department History 

The Rough and Ready Fire Department was founded in 1963. The Rough and Ready Fire Protection District (hereafter referred to as “R&RFPD”) was formed in 1969. R&RFPD covers seven (7) square miles and serves a population of approximately 1,661. R&RFPD has a five-member Board of Directors elected at large and is an independent Special District.

The original fire station on Rough and Ready Road was built in the early 1970’s. The community envisioned a new fire station in the center of town and the new Station 59 was completed in 2012 with a significant portion of funding coming from grants.

By the time the new station was completed volunteer Firefighters were difficult to recruit and retain. With most volunteers not available during the workday, the district hired a paid Firefighter to work during the week. This showed itself to be an unsafe practice and the district determined the need to hire additional staff, allowing for two professional Firefighters on duty during the day. To meet this need, in 2019 R&RFPD proposed a Fire Suppression Benefit Assessment on all Rough & Ready parcels. The assessment passed with over 60% voter approval. Additional staff were hired, providing 24/7 coverage.

By 2022, the district was spending more than received in revenue and began making deep cuts, in an attempt to decrease expenses. By the spring of 2023 preparations began to close the doors and dissolve the district. The district reached out to neighboring agencies and Nevada County Supervisor Susan Hoek, and a plan was developed. With gap funding from the county, the station re-opened on July 1, 2023, with joint staffing from PVFPD and NCCFD.

Station 59 – 14506 Rough and Ready Highway, Rough and Ready. Located in the heart of Rough and Ready, this station is joint staffed with one NCCFD Lieutenant and one PVFPD Firefighter. PVFPD provided Chief and Captain services.

Equipment: R&RFPD owns no suppression or support vehicles. Operating out of Station 59 is one Consolidated Type I Fire engine, one OES type IV engine, one Type I Water Tender and one PVFPD reserve ambulance is housed in the engine bay.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS

Rough & Ready Fire Association, Auxiliary and Behind the Scenes (BTS).

The Rough and Ready Fire Protection District have a long history of volunteerism. The Firefighter’s Association and Ladies Auxiliary were formed to support the Fire Department by helping to secure land, a building, and fire apparatus.

Fundraisers included organized community potluck dinners at the firehouse, bingo games, and the ongoing potato booth at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The Firefighter’s Association and Ladies Auxiliary eventually merged into a single entity, today called Behind the Scenes. The robust BTS hosts a monthly spaghetti dinner at Station 59, continues to operate the Potato Booth at the fair, partners with the Rough and Ready Chamber of Commerce to host Succession Days, partners with the Rough and Ready Grange to host an annual Community Christmas Party and sells logo memorabilia.