History of P.R.V.F.D

Our first engine, a 1953 Ford, was donated to us. It was an old CDF brush truck that has been sitting in a field for 10 years. It was in very bad condition. It was reconditioned and became Engine #1. It later became Engine 68 (E68) and was in service for many years. It is now AE68 for Antique Engine and is relegated to parades and car shows.

The PRPOA President appointed Larry Pearsall as Chief. Chief Pearsall appointed Warren Colbert as Assistant Fire Chief.

We inaugurated the Road Ranger organization on September 9, 2000. This is a unique group of women that support the fire fighters. The Road Rangers direct traffic during incidents and guide emergency vehicles to the scene. They wear bright orange vests and helmets and are equipped with radios, traffic signs and cones. This organization also includes four members who ride ATV vehicles. They are known as the “Quad Squad”. They are equipped with full wildland personal protective equipment (PPE) including fire shelters so they can work on the fireground. They patrol for spot fires, deliver food and water and perform many other useful tasks. Captain Sharon Moore originally headed up this organization. Captain Sue Martin is now in charge.

CDF Firefighter (PCF) Captain Pat Gallegos was involved in our first training sessions.

On June 9, 2001 PRPOA felt that we were a liability to them because of the high risk of being sued. As a result, we became an independent organization

We received a FEMA grant for personal protective gear on September 8, 2001.

We became Fresno County Company 68 on May 11, 2002.

The Bronze Smokey Bear award was presented to PRPOA on October 6, 2003.  We were considered part of PRPOA and the majority of people that did the work were members of our department.

We have evolved from eight, untrained firefighters and one old engine to a viable fire department with 24 trained firefighters, 6 Road Rangers, 3 Dispatchers, 3 Auxiliary members, 1 advisory board member and 1 Honorary member. We now have a total of 38 members and one type 1 structure fire engine, one type 3 wildland fire engine, a water tender and two patrols.

We have received generous grants to pay for needed equipment but our only source of operating funds are donations from our supporters. Operating funds are vital to pay for fuel, insurance, maintenance and repair of our apparatus and a myriad of other miscellaneous expenses. We continue to struggle for operating funds but we have managed to get by so far.

We recently received a very generous donation from the Fresno County Fire Protection District. They presented us with a 1987 type 1 fire engine. The engine was serviced in their shop and is in very good condition. We really appreciate the support that FCFPD and Cal Fire have given us. Actually all the neighboring volunteer fire departments have also helped us with equipment donations and training

We look forward to many more years of service to our community.