Cutting Edge Fire Safety Training Comes to SLV Students and Community
Students in the San Lorenzo Valley have firsthand knowledge of the devastation fire can leave behind. The community is still far from recovery after the August 2020 CZU Fire. Fire safety and fire prevention in our communities are a top priority, now more than ever. Thanks to a federal grant, the community has access to specialized education that will empower them to be more proactive about fire safety and prevention. In 2024, the US Department of Homeland Security awarded a FEMA Disaster Fire Prevention and Safety grant for $269.806.69 to the Ben Lomond Fire Protection District (BLFPD) along with Boulder Creek FPD, Felton FPD, and Zayante FPD to purchase a new, modern Fire Safety Education Trailer and specialized training fire extinguishers.
The newly purchased trailer replaces an outdated 37-year-old educational trailer, which was in constant need of repairs. Firefighting squads will transport the trailer to each school site in October, as part of the annual Fire Safety Education Month, where local volunteer fire personnel will conduct hands-on tours and specialized curriculum for students at each grade level. San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District (SLVUSD) Charter students were the first to tour the brand-new, high-technology fire safety training trailer in May at their Quail Hollow campus.
The trailer offers many features for safety demonstrations, including earthquake and storm simulations, doors that heat up with smoke, artificial fire extinguishers that teach the participants how to put out various fires, barbecue gas shut off, and a stove that simulates catching on fire.
For over 26 years, SLVUSD has partnered with the SLV fire districts to provide specialized K-5 curriculum to the students and families of the San Lorenzo Valley. Since 1999, the volunteer firefighters of Ben Lomond, Zayante, Boulder Creek, and Felton fire districts have conducted hands-on classroom and trailer instruction at SLV preschools and elementary classrooms, reaching more than 1,100 students and their families annually. The new trailer will serve more than 1,500 SLV students. Collectively, these volunteer fire departments serve more than 34,000 residents.
Upon introducing this new training vehicle to the community, Ben Lomond Fire Chief Stacie Brownlee said, “This specially designed, high-tech fire education trailer helps us give our community, especially our children, more powerful fire safety and prevention education. The award recognizes the courage, passion, and perseverance of our volunteer firefighters who show us every day that they are committed to doing everything they can to protect life and property in our mountain communities.”
The CZU fire in 2020 profoundly changed the lives of the residents of the San Lorenzo Valley. The entire Valley was evacuated and 911 single-family homes were destroyed. The children of the community experienced firsthand the terror of wildfire, evacuations, and the fire’s aftermath. They witnessed the firefighters’ efforts to ensure their safety. Now, as these local firefighting heroes conduct educational training in classrooms and the contemporary fire safety trailer, these lessons are made more meaningful and relevant for the students.
The San Lorenzo Valley Post is your essential guide to life in the Santa Cruz Mountains. We're dedicated to delivering the latest news, events, and stories that matter to our community. From local government to schools, from environmental issues to the arts, we're committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased coverage. We believe in the power of community journalism and strive to be a platform for diverse voices.
