By KRISTI MAYFIELD
At the April meeting of the Oakdale Fire Protection District in Valley Home, the Board of Directors introduced a representative from the California Special Districts Association, which focuses on advocacy and professional development for special districts across California. Dane Wadley, Field Coordinator for the CSDA, was present to share some of the things that the CSDA could provide to the Oakdale Fire Protection District if they choose to move forward with joining CSDA.
Among other things including legislative advocacy and representation in the government, Wadley highlighted the training and development resources that they could provide to the special district. CSDA offers trial memberships to special districts so that they can utilize their services for up to six months to determine whether or not it would be beneficial to join the organization.
Fees to join the organization are determined upon the operating revenue for the special district and during the first year of membership, the Oakdale Fire Protection District would receive 20 percent off the total cost for the membership. Wadley went on to share some of the other local entities that are members of the CSDA including the Oakdale Irrigation District, Turlock Irrigation District, Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District and Burbank Paradise Fire District, to name a few. Deputy Chief Clint Bray of Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District said that he would follow up with Wadley to obtain an application and send it to the Board for their review.
Members of the board also provided updates to the community regarding some of the inquiries that have been made regarding future fire and emergency services. They are awaiting a response from the Stanislaus County Fire Warden’s Office regarding the request for a Contract of Service. They have also reached out to Oak Valley Hospital District to request a single resource vehicle along with a Paramedic that would be stationed with the vehicle to provide emergency services and are waiting for a quote for those services from OVHD.
Paul Rivera, President of the Board, also mentioned that they are checking into the possibility of using a state program that would help them recruit and train volunteer firefighters to help man both the Valley Home and Knights Ferry stations and would provide an update at the next meeting of the Oakdale Fire Protection District. That meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 8 at 10 a.m. at the Knights Ferry Community Hall, 17601 Main St., Knights Ferry.
Deputy Chief Bray stated that he does not have the final figures for the possible contract and annexation with Stanislaus Consolidated Fire District but that he will be discussing this with his leadership team and will be able to provide an update at the upcoming Ad Hoc Meeting, which is open to the public, on Wednesday, May 14 at 1:30 p.m. at the Station 26 Meeting Room, 3318 Topeka St., Riverbank.
Community members from both Valley Home and Knights Ferry are encouraged to attend the fire board meetings as well as the Ad Hoc meeting to hear information and ask questions of officials.
For more information, visit: www.oakdalefireprotectiondistrict.org
