f
d
California Accredited District of Distinction
www.chinovalleyfire.org
February/March 2014
Emergency Incidents
Structure Fire—February 23, 2104
Chino Valley Fire District firefighters responded to a structure fire on Cypress Lane in Chino Hills.
Upon arrival, firefighters found light smoke coming from a the garage. Firefighters made an
aggressive attack and contained the fire to the garage. The inside of the house sustained moderate
smoke damage. The homeowners were away on vacation at the time of the fire. Several animals
were rescued from inside the home.
Incident Commander: BC Kyle Collins
Swift Water Rescue—February 28, 2014
Chino Valley Fire District’s Swift Water Rescue Team responded to Carbon Canyon Road and Chino
Hills Parkway in Chino Hills to assist a female that had become trapped in the roadway due to a heavy
flow of water and mud. The female did not sustain any injuries. Carbon Canyon Road was closed in
both directions from the County line to Carbon Canyon Regional Park due to a rock slide and mud
and debris flow.
Incident Commander: BC Scott Atkinson
Water Rescue—
February 28, 2014
The Chino Valley Fire District’s Swift
Water Rescue Team responded to a
water rescue on Oaks and Edison
avenues in Chino.
Firefighters assisted a woman in her
late 50s that became stuck in the
roadway after driving into a large
puddle of water. She did not sustain
any injuries.
Incident Commander:
BC Scott Atkinson
f
d
www.chinovalleyfire.org
Community Events









California Accredited District of Distinction
The Chino Valley Fire District and Pomona Valley
Hospital Medical Center hosted a Chino Valley
CPR Challenge on February 22nd at the Shoppes
in Chino Hills. Members of the community were
encouraged to learn “hands only” CPR, a new
method of resuscitation that does not include
mouth to mouth.
Public Information Officer Massiel De Guevara
and Auxiliary Worker Jacob Knapp read in eight
different classrooms at Hidden Trails Elementary
School in Chino Hills on February 28th as a part
of Read Across America.
Public Information Officer Massiel De Guevara and
Auxiliary Worker Jacob Knapp attended Literacy
Day at Edwin Rhodes Elementary School in Chino
on March 5th.
The crew from Medic Engine 67 gave a tour of
their fire station and engine to 200 students from
Chino Headstart Preschool. Firefighters taught
students about fire and life safety during the tour.
Students were also taught what it is like to be a
firefighter.
Public Information Officer Massiel De Guevara
and Auxiliary Worker Jacob Knapp attended Chino
High School’s Career Day on March 13th.
Public Information Officer Massiel De Guevara
and Auxiliary Worker Jacob Knapp attended a
Career Fair at McCoy Equestrian Center on
February 26th.
Interim Fire Chief Tim Shackelford and Deputy
Chief Mike Faherty participated in the 34th annual
Student Government Day in Chino and Chino Hills
on February 27th.
Auxiliary Worker Jacob Knapp attended Ramona
Junior High’s career day on March 19th.
Auxiliary Worker Jacob Knapp attended Magnolia
Junior High’s career day on March 20th.
February/March 2014
Upcoming Events

Donate Life Flag raising ceremony at Fire
Administration on April 8, 2014.
 Every 15 Minutes event at Chino High School
on May 21, 2014.
 The Fire District will participate in Healthy Kid’s
Day at the YMCA on April 12th.
f
d
www.chinovalleyfire.org
California Accredited District of Distinction
Special Recognition
Search and Rescue —December 11, 2014
Chino Valley Fire District Engineer Russell Tao
recertified as a Federal Emergency Management
Agency Disaster Search and Rescue Dog Team
in Riverside with his search dog, Major. The
recertification is valid for three years. During that
time frame, Tao and Major may be deployed to
assist at a variety of disasters.
The two-day recertification process required Tao
and Major to successfully navigate a complex
search scenario twice while being timed. The
search scenario consisted of a 10,000 plus square
foot rubble pile with four to six “victims” hidden
throughout the pile that Major had to successfully
locate. Multiple false alert distractions were
hidden throughout the rubble pile such as food
and clothing that Major had to bypass without
alerting Tao in order to successfully recertify.
Engineer Tao has been a search dog handler
since June 2000 and first certified as a Search
Dog Team for FEMA in December 2003.
Engineer Tao and Major were partnered in June
2010 after the retirement of Tao’s previous
Search and Rescue dog, Andy. Tao, Andy and
Major trained for nine months before Major first
achieved FEMA certification in April 2011.
A search dog like Major is an important
component of rescue operations after a structure
collapse caused by a natural or manmade disaster.
A search dog can detect human scent and locate
victims trapped in small voids and crevices.
Having a certified FEMA Search and Rescue Dog
Team as part of the Chino Valley Fire District
adds an extra resource for firefighters to call upon
should there be a natural or manmade disaster
causing a structural collapse in the Chino Valley.
February/March 2014
f
d
www.chinovalleyfire.org
California Accredited District of Distinction
February/March 2014
Special Recognition
Promotions —2014
The Chino Valley Fire District congratulates Wayne Fontes and Dave Williams on their promotion to Captain.
Congratulations to Joel DeLuca and Bryan Turner on their promotion to Engineer.
f
d
www.chinovalleyfire.org
California Accredited District of Distinction
February/March 2014
Special Recognition
Battalion Chief Jeremy Ault was assigned
as Acting Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal for
Fire Prevention.
Captain Tim Stewart was assigned as an
Acting Battalion Chief.
Engineer Chuck Kinne was assigned as an
Acting Captain.
Firefighter/Paramedic Shaun Higgins was
assigned as an Acting Engineer.
f
d
www.chinovalleyfire.org
California Accredited District of Distinction
Special Recognition
Fred L. Burns Award Presentation —February 12, 2014
The Chino Valley Fire District Board of Directors was honored
to present the Fred L. Burns Community Service Award to Scott
Snyder.
The Fred L. Burns Community Service Award was established
by the Board of Directors in 1993 honoring Fred L. Burns as
the first award recipient. This award has honored many recipients
since its establishments. In 2013, the Board of Directors
approved a resolution memorializing the late Fred L. Burns and
re-establishing the award.
The award honors individuals in the community for their
contribution to the Chino Valley Fire District in the tradition
of service demonstrated throughout the lifetime of the late Fire
District Director Fred L. Burns; and who have made a significant
contribution to the Chino Valley Community and the Chino
Valley Fire District in the area of furthering the District’s
Mission Statement.
Scott Snyder has demonstrated a spirit of community and service
that the Fred L. Burns Community Service Award honors. In
2010 he approached the Fire District about volunteering his
professional videography services to promote fire safety and
education throughout the Chino Valley.
He expressed a desire to give back to the community where he
lives and to use his business as a tool to provide residents with
information that would empower them to keep themselves and
their families safe should disaster strike.
February/March 2014
f
d
www.chinovalleyfire.org
California Accredited District of Distinction
Special Recognition
Salute to Public Safety—March 6, 2014
The Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the
annual Salute to Public Safety where members from
the Chino Valley Fire District, Chino Police
Department and Chino Hills Police Department were
honored for their public service.
Firefighter/Paramedic JR Ryan was recognized as
the Fire District’s Firefighter of the Year and Fire
Inspector Jim Powderly was recognized as the Fire
District’s Employee of the Year.
JR was nominated by his peers for the many hours
of dedication to the Fire District and the Chino Valley
Community. He was a standout nominee because of
the numerous hours devoted as President of the
Chino Professional Firefighters Association, his
positive attitude, professionalism, solid work ethic, and
involvement in various organizations.
Jim was nominated by his peers for being a dedicated
and hard-working employee who is always willing to
take on assignments with enthusiasm. He consistently
demonstrates a positive attitude while participating in
Fire District events and sets a great example for his fellow employees.
The honorees from the Chino Police Department were
Civilian of the Year Silviane Canaff-Evans, Volunteer
of the Year Christina Galindo and Officer of the Year
Alex Courtney. The Honorees from the Chino Hills
Police Department were Employee of the Year Nancy
Perez and Officer of the Year Steven Spagon.
The Chino Valley Fire District congratulates all of the
award recipients and thanks the Chino Valley Chamber
of Commerce and numerous sponsors for making the
event possible.
February/March 2014
f
d
www.chinovalleyfire.org
California Accredited District of Distinction
February/March 2014
Special Events
Every 15 Minutes—March 27, 2014
The Chino Valley Fire District participated in the annual Every 15 Minutes event at Ayala High School in
Chino Hills.
The Chino Valley Fire District partners with the Chino Hills Police Department, Chino Police Department,
California Highway Patrol, Chino Valley Unified School District, the city of Chino and Chino Hills, AMR,
Chino Valley Medical Center, and Pierce Brothers Griffith annually to make this event possible.
The Fire District is a proud participant in the Every 15 Minutes Program and is dedicated to helping educate
our local high school juniors and seniors alongside our partner agencies about the dangers of drinking and
driving.
f
d
www.chinovalleyfire.org
California Accredited District of Distinction
Training
Department Training—March 5, 2014
The Chino Valley Fire District's USAR Team is
constructing a rubble pile at the Fire District's
Training Center that simulates a collapse following
a manmade or natural disaster.
The rubble pile will simulate the collapse of a
parking structure with victims trapped inside
vehicles buried by cement slabs, a multi-level
structure collapse and various other technical
rescue scenarios including confined space and
trench rescues.
CVFD's FEMA certified Search and Rescue
Dog Team will also use the rubble pile to train
on locating victims buried by debris following a
structure collapse.
Funding for the debris pile was made possible by
BAPS and a grant provided by the Fireman’s
Fund Insurance Company, the California Veterinary
Medical Association (CVMA) and their insurance
program, Veterinary Insurance Services Company
(VISC).
February/March 2014
f
d
www.chinovalleyfire.org
California Accredited District of Distinction
February/March 2014
Training
Fire Academy—2014/2015
The Chino Valley Fire District and Mount San Antonio College reached an agreement that brings the college’s
Fire Technology Program to the Fire District’s Training Center on Schaefer Avenue in Chino.
The term of the agreement will encompass the remainder of the 2013/2014 school year and the entire
2014/2015 school year, which consists of three fire academies.
Students enrolled in Mount San Antonio College’s program will have use of the Fire District’s training tower,
classroom, and other training props.
f
d
www.chinovalleyfire.org
California Accredited District of Distinction
February/March 2014
Behind the Badge: Lena Lin
Service to the Chino Valley: Lena Lin was hired as a Fire
Inspector with the Chino Valley Fire District in 2008.
Previous experience: Lena worked as a graphic designer before
making a career change and becoming a fire inspector. Lena
worked part time for the Montebello Fire Department as a graphic
designer and a member of the clerical staff while working on her
Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. “That experience opened
my eyes to what the Fire Service is all about. When I decided to
change my career path, I went back to school to obtain an AA
degree in Fire Science and volunteered as a Reserve Inspection
with the Chino Valley Fire District.”
Reason for choosing this job: “I admire firefighters putting
their lives at risk to fight fire and to save lives. As a member of
the community, I want to contribute toward ensuring fire safety.
I want to do my best to make our homes and places of work safe
for everyone. Good fire safety practices benefit the people of our
community and help protect our firefighters when they are called
upon to perform their duties during an emergency.”
Best on-the-job experience: “The best part of this job is interacting with the public. When I work in the
field I have the opportunity to learn a lot of interesting things about the businesses in our community. It is
very rewarding when I am able to help a business owner resolve issues so they are compliant with the fire code.
This empowers them to maintain an environment that provides for fire and life safety of their employees and
public.”
Advice to rookies: “My advice to someone trying to get into this field is to start with educating themselves
in the field they want to pursue and to continue training and gaining experience throughout their career.
Knowledge is power. Continual training will give you strength and add to your experience.”
Hobbies: Lena enjoys photography, traveling, exercising, dancing, and outdoor activities.
Favorite Quote:
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”
—John Wooden