Santa Cruz Fire Department

10/22/2026

The Kyle J. Taylor Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) in youth and honoring the memory of Kyle John Taylor, who died at age 18. The organization provides low-cost or free EKG heart screenings, donates AEDs, and offers CPR and AED training.

Today, we were honored to celebrate the ribbon cutting of a publicly accessible AED at the Santa Cruz Harbor, across from the Walton Lighthouse - one of Kyle’s favorite spots to hang out with friends and family.

Publicly accessible AEDs can make a crucial difference in the outcome of a sudden cardiac arrest emergency. We hope the connectivity and 911 integration of the Avive AED will help ensure this station is located, accessed, and used when it’s needed most.

Thank you to the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation, 6 Minutes to Live, and the Santa Cruz Police Department for making days like this possible. We are honored to support this effort.

10/22/2026

Join us at Santa Cruz Fire Department Station 2, 1103 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, on Wednesday, October 28th from 5 PM to 7 PM for a free sandbag filling event!

There will also be a free sandbag filling event happening at the same time near Beach Flats Park 133 Leibrandt Avenue, Santa Cruz, October 28th from 5 PM to 7 PM.

Sand, empty bags, and shovels will be provided. Drive up, fill your bags and go!

Want to learn more about Sandbags? Read more here: https://www.santacruzca.gov/Government/City-Departments/Public-Works/Sandbag-Information

10/21/2026

The Santa Cruz Harbor now has an AED SaveStation that provides 24/7 public access to an AED!

The SaveStation Tower was donated by the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation and the AED was donated by Avive Solutions. Local non-profit initiative Six Minutes to Live: Santa Cruz helped coordinate the AED and SaveStation donations. The Santa Cruz Fire Department has partnered with Six Minutes to Live, co-founded by Santa Cruz resident Hilary Gates.

The Kyle J. Taylor Foundation was founded by Kyle’s family after Kyle passed away in 2018 at the age of 18 from SCA. “This beach specifically meant so much to Kyle. He loved the beach and surfing and anytime he could be in Santa Cruz, he was. So, to be placing this SaveStation here means so much to our family and we know Kyle would have loved it,” said Jennifer Sarmento, Kyle’s mom and Executive Director of the foundation.

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

10/17/2026

🔥🏃 Things heated up at this year’s Race the Flame at UC Santa Cruz, hosted by the Santa Cruz City Fire Department!

Runners tackled the hills and raced to the finish, while CAL FIRE CZU’s wildland firefighter mannequins showed up in full gear… but decided to stand this one out! 😂

Congratulations to all the runners, and thanks to Santa Cruz City Fire for a great community event!

Santa Cruz Fire Department UC Santa Cruz

10/17/2026

Thank you to everyone who made it out to Race The Flame this morning! Who said preparedness can’t be fun? From running to hugging Sammy the Slug, to learning CPR, to reading your wildfire preparedness checklist, we had a blast!

10/16/2026

We are one day out from Race The Flame! We had a great turnout at bib/shirt pickup last night at Humble Sea, with over 60 racers picking up their bibs and shirts before the race. We loved hearing the stories behind why you are racing and how you are preparing for fire season.

There is still time to sign up if you want to run or walk tomorrow🏃: www.santacruzca.gov/RaceTheFlame

10/15/2026

It is officially Bib and shirt pick-up day for Race The Flame! Pick-up will be at Humble Sea on the Westside,820 Swift St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060, from 4-7 p.m. today!

Did not get to sign up yet? There is still time! Sign up today: www.santacruzca.gov/RaceTheFlame

10/14/2026

Community members are invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., marking the installation of a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and SaveStation at the Santa Cruz Harbor, a popular public destination. The new station provides 24/7 public access to an AED, significantly increasing chances of someone surviving a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

“Providing a public access AED at the Santa Cruz Harbor protects everyone who enjoys the harbor’s beauty, including boaters, beachgoers, families, and daily visitors. We want everyone to know that they can help a fellow citizen with this AED before emergency responders arrive,” said Harbor Master Blake Anderson.

SCA can happen to anyone. Every second counts when SCA occurs and starting CPR immediately with using an AED can increase survival rates by 40-75%.

The SaveStation Tower was donated by the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation and the AED was donated by Avive Solutions. Local non-profit initiative Six Minutes to Live: Santa Cruz helped coordinate the AED and SaveStation donations. The Santa Cruz Fire Department has partnered with Six Minutes to Live, co-founded by Santa Cruz resident Hilary Gates.

The Kyle J. Taylor Foundation was founded by Kyle’s family after Kyle passed away in 2018 at the age of 18 from SCA. “This beach specifically meant so much to Kyle. He loved the beach and surfing and anytime he could be in Santa Cruz, he was. So, to be placing this SaveStation here means so much to our family and we know Kyle would have loved it,” said Jennifer Sarmento, Kyle’s mom and Executive Director of the foundation.

After the ceremony, volunteers from Six Minutes to Live will teach hands-only CPR. In addition, representatives from the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation will demonstrate the benefits of EKG screenings for high school athletes.