Georgetown Fire

09/17/2026

Our volunteers are running their 5th annual poker tournament on November 7th, and we want to make sure our community knows what it pays for.

Georgetown's volunteer program raises its own money. The training center at Station 62 was built with it. The tower, the facilities, the gravel, and the concrete work finished this past year were all funded by volunteers holding events like this one. That facility now trains crews from across the Divide and from surrounding agencies, not just ours.

Thermal imaging cameras. Vehicle stabilization equipment. A mechanical CPR device that has already been used on calls in this community. All of it from a room full of neighbors playing cards on a Saturday night.

If you have ever wondered how to support your fire department directly, this is the most straightforward way there is. Tickets are online and this event sells out every year.

Thank you to our volunteers, and to everyone who has ever bought a seat.

🎟

All In for Georgetown Fire: 5th Annual Poker Tournament – IOOF Hall, Sat Nov 7, 2026 - This event sells out every year! Tickets must be purchased through this website by October 7, 2026. No tickets will be sold at the door. 🃏 EARLY BIRD: Buy your ticket by September 30, 2026 and start with 6,00...

03/29/2026

🚒 Divide Fire Academy 26-001 Training Update 🚒

On Saturday, March 21, recruits with Divide Fire Academy 26-001 participated in their first live fire training, marking a major milestone in their development as firefighters.

During the training, recruits gained a better understanding of fire behavior by observing how fire conditions change and develop in real time. They also practiced advancing hoselines to attack the fire, as well as conducting search and rescue operations in a controlled, live fire environment.

This hands-on experience reinforces the importance of teamwork, communication, and situational awareness while operating in dynamic and high-risk conditions.

A special thank you to the instructor cadre for providing a safe, structured, and highly effective day of training.

Live fire training is a critical step in preparing recruits to safely and effectively respond to real-world emergencies, building the confidence and skills needed to serve their communities.

03/12/2026

🚒 Divide Fire Academy 26-001 Training Update 🚒

On Saturday, March 7, recruits with Divide Fire Academy 26-001 trained on the fundamentals of vehicle extrication, developing the skills needed to safely remove patients trapped in damaged vehicles.

Training began with vehicle stabilization and scene safety, ensuring vehicles were properly secured before extrication operations began. Recruits then practiced several techniques used to gain access to patients, including door removal, roof removal, and rolling the dashboard to free entrapped occupants.

Throughout the training, recruits worked with a variety of rescue tools including combination cutters and spreaders, Sawzalls, axes, and hydraulic rams. Vehicles were positioned in different ways to simulate realistic traffic accident scenarios, giving recruits the opportunity to adapt their techniques to different vehicle orientations and challenges.

Vehicle extrication training prepares recruits to respond to serious vehicle collisions where rapid, coordinated action is needed to safely free trapped patients and allow medical care to begin as quickly as possible.

A special thank you to the members of the public who donated vehicles for this training. These donations make hands-on training possible and directly support the development of the next generation of firefighters serving our Divide communities.

We would also like to thank Dilon Holmes with Quality First Logistics, who will be assisting by removing the vehicles used during training. Community partnerships like these help make this type of realistic training possible.

03/04/2026

🚒 Divide Fire Academy 26-001 Training Update 🚒

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, recruits with Divide Fire Academy 26-001 trained on fundamental forcible entry and ventilation techniques, building critical skills used during structure fire operations.

Training began with forcible entry basics, where recruits learned proper tool selection, body positioning, and coordinated teamwork. Instruction focused on gaining access through both inward- and outward-swinging doors, as well as how to properly control, open, and secure doors once entry is made. Emphasis was placed on efficiency, communication, and minimizing additional property damage while ensuring rapid access when needed.

Recruits also trained on vertical ventilation techniques, learning how to safely and effectively ventilate a roof using a chainsaw. This portion of training reinforced roof operations safety, sound communication between crews, proper saw handling, and coordinated ventilation to support interior fire attack operations.

Forcible entry and ventilation are essential components of structural firefighting, and continued hands-on training ensures recruits are prepared to operate safely, effectively, and as a coordinated team during emergency incidents.

02/15/2026

🚒 Divide Fire Academy 26-001 | Ground Ladder Drills 🚒

On February 14, 2026, recruits with Divide Fire Academy 26-001 trained on fundamental ground ladder techniques, building the skills necessary to safely and effectively deploy ladders during emergency operations.

Training focused on both single-firefighter and two-firefighter ladder raises, emphasizing proper technique, communication, and control. Recruits also learned how to properly lock in to the ladder for stability and practiced deploying and operating fire hose from elevated positions, reinforcing balance, coordination, and safe ladder operations during fire attack.

Through repetition and hands-on instruction, recruits built confidence in their ability to safely throw, raise, and operate from ground ladders—essential skills used for rescue, ventilation, and access during structure fires and other emergencies.

Ground ladder proficiency is a foundational part of firefighter training, ensuring recruits are prepared to operate safely and effectively when their communities need them most.

02/03/2026

Working Together for a Stronger Fire Service Model

Garden Valley Fire Protection District and Georgetown Fire Protection District have entered into a 12-month shared services agreement to jointly provide Fire Chief and administrative services, following the retirement of Georgetown Fire Chief Glenn Brown.

This agreement allows both districts to share leadership and administrative costs, reducing overhead and avoiding the need to duplicate full-time positions. The goal is simple: to be fiscally responsible while maintaining strong, consistent operational leadership for the Divide communities.

There are no changes to local staffing, response times, or service levels as a result of this agreement. Fire stations remain locally operated, and emergency response continues to remain the top priority for both districts.

“This agreement is about being fiscally responsible while keeping fire protection strong and stable for the Divide,” said Fire Chief Wes Norman. “By working together as equal partners, both districts can manage costs responsibly without sacrificing service to our communities.”

This is a temporary, 12-month agreement and will be reassessed later this year to ensure it continues to serve the best interests of both districts and the residents we protect.

This partnership helps ensure we can keep protecting our community today while planning responsibly for the future.

01/29/2026

🚒Divide Fire Academy 26-001 | Firefighter Rescue Drills 🚒

Firefighting is unpredictable and when conditions change, knowing how to get yourself and your partner out safely can mean everything.

On January 24, recruits with Divide Fire Academy 26-001 participated in hands-on rescue training focused on building confidence in their personal protective equipment and practicing critical self-rescue techniques.

Throughout the day, recruits rotated through challenging scenarios, including:

- Confidence Maze – building trust in their gear while navigating tight, dark, and unfamiliar spaces
- Wall Breach – practicing controlled techniques to escape obstructed areas
- Denver Prop – simulating firefighter entrapment and reinforcing coordinated self-rescue and partner-assist techniques
- Ladder Bailout – training emergency egress from elevated positions when interior conditions become unsafe

These drills are designed to prepare recruits to stay calm, think clearly, and act decisively under stress—skills that are essential to firefighter safety and survival.

As the academy continues, recruits will build on these foundational skills through increasingly complex training designed to prepare them for the realities of emergency response. Follow along as Academy 26-001 continues to progress.

01/28/2026

🚒 Welcome to Divide Fire Academy 26-001 🚒

A new group of recruits has officially begun their journey into the fire service.

Divide Fire Academy 26-001 is a collaborative volunteer academy bringing recruits from Garden Valley Fire, Georgetown Fire, Mosquito Fire, and Rescue Fire together to train side by side. Over the coming months, these recruits will be pushed, challenged, and shaped into firefighters ready to serve their communities when it matters most. This academy is made possible by a dedicated cadre of instructors from all four agencies, committed to passing on their experience, knowledge, and high standards to the next generation of firefighters.

Throughout the academy, recruits will train in essential skills including structural firefighting, rescue operations, fire behavior, safety and survival techniques, emergency response fundamentals, and wildland firefighting. Along the way, we’ll be sharing their progress, key training milestones, and the hard work happening behind the scenes; day in and day out.

We invite you to follow along as these recruits take their first steps into the fire service, building the skills, confidence, and teamwork needed to serve their communities with professionalism, integrity, and dedication.

12/17/2025

This past weekend, Georgetown Fire gathered at Buckeye Restaurant for our annual Christmas Dinner. It was a great evening spent with current and past staff, volunteers, board members, and family—an opportunity to slow down, enjoy each other’s company, and recognize the people who make this department what it is.

During the evening, Jeff Degnan, Jackson Addison, and Josh Burton (who was unable to attend) were presented their helmet shields by Captain Theresa Snoke, officially welcoming them into our volunteer ranks.

Years of Service awards were also presented by Captain Theresa Snoke and Volunteer President Ken Pauley.

5 Years of Service
Megan Cardenas
Brad King
Tom McGrady (unable to attend)
Nate Smith

10 Years of Service
Jeremiah Norrell

15 Years of Service – Veteran Status
Ken Pauley

20 Years of Service
Brook Rother

25 Years of Service
Rob Poseley

We also took time to recognize Bob Brown, who recently retired from our Board of Directors, for his many years of service to the department and for his commitment to our community as a board member.

The Firefighter of the Year award was presented to Nick Cimmarusti for the second year in a row. Nick’s dedication and work ethic continue to stand out. He has taken a leadership role in training our newest recruits and has shown incredible initiative in every role he’s stepped into since joining the staff after four years as a volunteer.

Nights like this are a good reminder that Georgetown Fire is more than just equipment and calls—it’s people. Volunteers, staff, board members, and families all play a part in keeping this department moving forward. We’re grateful for the time, effort, and commitment shown by everyone who serves and supports Georgetown Fire, and we’re proud to be part of such a strong community.

12/02/2025

Prescribed fire is a critical tool for protecting communities, maintaining healthy forests, and supporting resilient landscapes. Want to learn more about prescribed fire, local fire safety initiatives, or how to get involved?

Check out these resources:
- About prescribed fires: https://readyforwildfire.org/forest-health/prescribed-fires/

- About vegetation management projects: https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/natural-resource-management/vegetation-management-program

- El Dorado County Fire Safe Council: https://www.edcfiresafe.org/

- Georgetown Divide Fire Safe Council: www.gdfsc.org

- Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience: https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/Public-Safety-Justice/Wildfire-Disaster/Office-of-Wildfire-Preparedness-and-Resilience

- El Dorado/Amador Prescribed Burn Association: https://calpba.org/el-dorado-amador-pba

- El Dorado Resource Conservation District: https://www.eldoradorcd.org/

- Track state fuels reduction work, in your community and throughout California: https://www.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/natural-resource-management/fuels-reduction

Knowledge is power — stay informed and help keep our forests and communities safe