Golden Valley Fire goes green

Golden Valley Fire Officials announce the completion of their Energy Efficiency Lighting Upgrade project. The lighting at Station-11, Station-12 and the Administrative offices were replaced with more energy efficient light bulbs and ballasts.  Chief O’Donohue said this simple lighting modification along with turning lights off in unoccupied rooms will save thousands of dollars a year.  The project in conjunction with UniSource and contractor KER Electric will save approximately 33,856 KWH’s of energy, which eliminates the release of 22.2 tons of CO2 released into the environment annually. These savings are the equivalent to any one of the following: planting 6 acres of trees, removing five cars from the road, saving 2,795 gallons of gas or saving 67 barrels of oil.  Golden Valley Fire received approximately 60% of the funding from UniSource Energy for this project, making each of the three fire stations more “Green” for the environment.  The total cost of the project was $8,250.93, of which $5,226.55 of which was covered by UniSource Energy rebates. The balance of $3,241.81 that Golden Valley Fire budgeted for the project will be recouped in approximately seven months, after that it simply reduces the operating costs of each fire station. Chairman Curt Hardy added; “Energy efficiency is just one of the ways the Fire District is looking to trim the budget”.

 

Firefighters exit the building after conducting a primary search for occupants while exterior crews prepare to go back under the home looking for fire extension.

Golden Valley Firefighters got a quick upper hand on this Wednesday evening fire that occurred at 6:38 pm. The residents who were inside at the time of the fire said they were watching TV when the lights dimmed and the power went out. They immediately smelled and saw smoke coming from the South end of the home. The owner, identified only as Sandy, said she shut off the electrical panel and had the family grab pets and exit the home leaving all their valuables inside.  Chief O’Donohue said the fire erupted from underneath the house and spread up the side where firefighters swiftly extinguished it.  Fire damage was confined to the southeast corner room and under the home where it appears the fire began.  The homeowners don’t have insurance, so were thankful to see their belongings were relatively untouched by fire.  The homeowners praised the firefighters for a quick response and knockdown of the fire.  Fire Marshal Randy Osborn remained on scene to determine the cause.

Assistant Chief Testing and Meet & Greet

For the second time in 2011, Golden Valley Fire is testing for an Assistant Fire Chief.  Thomas O’Donohue, who took over as Fire Chief in February, began the process of selecting a replacement assistant fire chief at the request of the Board of Directors.  The process involved putting out a nation-wide calling for applicants, and through a selection process, the list was whittled down to five to seven finalists who have been invited to participate in a series of testing and evaluations at the Golden Valley Fire Department. After the completion of three days of evaluation that consists of physical, written and oral board testing, the department will make a tentative offer of employment pending a comprehensive background check.  In April 2011, the department eliminated the final four candidates who had come from as far as New York, after they collectively disregarded testing guidelines, causing the department to begin the process from the beginning.  The final five candidates are from Maryland, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and two from Arizona.  The community is invited to a candidate Meet-n-Greet the Department is sponsoring this Friday night at 6:00 pm at Fire Station-12 located at 749 S. Egar Road.