Georgetown Fire

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Georgetown Fire

This is the official page of the Georgetown Fire Department, Georgetown CA. Do not report in progress incidents on this page. This page is NOT monitored 24/7.

For emergencies dial 9-1-1, non emergencies 530-333-4111. Greetings Georgetown and surrounding communities! This page is intended to promote GTFD activities and to provide another avenue for community outreach. Please be aware that this is NOT a forum that is constantly monitored, and as such, emergencies and other urgent matters should be directed to 911, and other GTFD-related concerns should be

directed to the main office number (530) 333-4111. The Georgetown Fire Protection District is located in Georgetown, California in the heart of Gold Country in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Georgetown is ideally located in northern California at 3,000-feet of elevation on the Georgetown Divide between the South Fork and Middle Fork of the American River. The District, rich in mining history, is between the county seat cities of Placerville and Auburn. Georgetown Fire is surrounded by public lands on three sides and serves many visitors to El Dorado County. Georgetown is the gateway to the world famous Rubicon Trail. In addition to the original Jeepers’ Jamboree we host many 4X4 and other off-road events. The Georgetown Divide is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, with a vast trails system into the Eldorado and Tahoe National Forests and Auburn State Recreation Area. Our agency was formed in 1854, one of the West’s oldest fire departments. We began levying taxes in the mid 30’s, and became a fire protection district in 1958. Georgetown Fire has transformed from an all-volunteer department into a professional combination department with six full-time firefighters, an Administrative Assistant, and 38 active volunteers. Georgetown Fire has also grown to five fire stations strategically located throughout the seven communities we serve. A training center was built in 1997 and a burn building was added in 2001. The Chief Todd Training Tower (T3) was built providing numerous training opportunities for our personnel and neighboring agencies. In addition to traditional fire prevention and suppression services, the department provides transport advanced medical life-support (ALS) services and urban search and rescue (USAR) Type 3 on two of the seven fire engines. The District is managed by a team of professionals that include a Fire Chief, two Assistant Chiefs, seven Captains, and an Administrative Assistant. The all-risk, full-service Georgetown Fire responds to emergency calls in a 96 square mile jurisdiction and over 250 square mile sphere of influence (SOI). We serve a population of 3,000 residents. In 2009, our firefighters responded to over 1,000 calls for service.

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

11/24/2025

Low-intensity prescribed fires offer many benefits, from boosting ecosystem health to lowering wildfire risk near communities. Controlled burns are an essential tool for maintaining the health of our forests. Here are just a few of the ecological benefits:

🌲Improved Forest Health: Fire recycles nutrients into the soil and promotes growth of native plants and conifer seedlings.

🐻Wildlife Habitat: Fire helps create habitat for a wide range of species by creating a mosaic landscape and supporting diverse plants.

💧Protecting our water sources: By reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfires near rivers, streams, and reservoirs, prescribed burns help keep soil in place, maintain water quality, regulate the flow of streams, and reduce the chance of flooding and erosion after a fire.

11/18/2025

There are several benefits that a low-intensity prescribed fire can bring, from improving ecosystem health to reducing wildfire risk near communities. A controlled burn is a vital tool that enhances the health of our forests and the safety of our communities. These are just some of the practical benefits:

🌱Fuel Reduction: By removing excess vegetation, prescribed fire can reduce the intensity and spread of future wildfires.

🏡Community Protection: Strategically applied fire creates defensible space and fuel breaks. This helps safeguard homes, infrastructure and lives. Prescribed fire works in conjunction with the defensible space that homeowners create to make a more fire-safe landscape.

👨‍🚒Support for Firefighting Operations: Reducing fuel loads creates safer conditions for suppression activities during wildfire incidents.

Address

6281 Main Street
Georgetown, CA
95634

Telephone

+15303334111

Website

http://geofire.org/

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