The Spalding Volunteer Fire Department has announced it has temporarily restricted its emergency response operations, clarifying that the decision was not the result of a shutdown order from CAL OSHA or CAL OES.
In a community update, department officials said there is currently a discrepancy regarding required training and certification standards for volunteer firefighters responding to emergencies. As a precaution, the department’s board of directors voted to limit responses while the requirements are reviewed and clarified.
Under the temporary restriction, Spalding Volunteer Fire Department personnel will only respond to catastrophic events, including structure fires, wildland fires that threaten or could spread into the community, and major traffic incidents. The restriction also applies to the department’s mutual aid response area.
Officials emphasized that nearby fire resources remain available. CAL FIRE’s Grasshopper Station on the north shore and Eagle Station on the south shore are currently staffed and may continue providing mutual aid when available. The Stones-Bengard Volunteer Fire Department will also continue responding to catastrophic incidents as previously described.
The department said it is working to resolve the certification and training requirements as quickly as possible, noting that the issue could potentially impact volunteer fire departments across California.
“We are working to get this clarified ASAP,” department officials said, adding that additional updates will be provided to the community as more information becomes available.
