Bucks Lake Community Votes to Separate Our Fire Dept. From the HOA

How will this benefit us?       Some thoughts….

• For the benefit of the entire Bucks Lake community and the continued success and professional development of the fire department, it is necessary for it to be overseen by a member selected Board of Directors, separate from the homeowner’s association.
• A member selected Board of Directors for the Fire Dept. will have a singular focus, that of the development and continued success of the fire department for years to come.
• Recent decisions and positions taken by the HOA board clearly demonstrate the need for the fire department to separate from the HOA in order for the fire department to remain successful.  Separation will also allow the New HOA board to have a singular focus – to focus on issues surrounding Bucks Lake property owners.
• Declining general membership of the HOA directly impacts the fire department budget and its ability to develop, train, replace outdated equipment, buy supplies, apply for grants, to name a few.
• The fire department, apart from the HOA, will have free access to the community at large and to groups who would never join the HOA.  Prior to separation, the fire department only had access to folks who participate in the HOA, and their membership is rapidly declining.
• Recruitment and retention of firefighters will be better with a, 3-member Board of Directors (not 10 HOA Board members), a cohesive group of firefighters properly funded, a structured agenda of training, recruitment and retention.
• Our books and records will be managed by our Secretary/Treasurer and reviewed by the Governing Board of Directors.
• Fire Dept. issues can be immediately addressed by the Directors who have gained experience with the Fire Dept. and their only mission is the Fire Dept.  With leadership who’s only interest is running a professional fire organization all-encompassing of our community, Bucks Lake Fire Department Inc. can continue to provide Fire/Medical services in support of all at Bucks Lake.

We will be able to expand our services to the entire community.  Some examples of past Bucks Lake Fire Dept. action in support of our friends and neighbors include:

• Community Bulletin Board installed and maintained next to the station
• Website with real time pictures around the Fire House, both winter and summer
• Pancake Breakfast
• Aluminum can recycle, at fire house and campgrounds
• CPR/AED training
• Emergency Call Box on outside of station (rings directly to 911)
• Established Emergency LZ’s (landing zones) throughout area for medical helicopters
• Developed and trained winter over-the-snow rescue team
• Purchase and maintain satellite telephone to use both summer and winter for emergency calls from fire truck or from groomer machine in the winter in remote areas of the forest
• Assisted Otto Bracket’s (boat patrol) Retirement party
• Brought fire trucks to local residences and provide tour of the “Fire Trucks” for local kids
• Recurrent training specific to the Bucks Lake Area and it’s hazards, e.g. low-angle rescue or “off the side of a steep hill”
• Coordination and training with the winter groomer operators and Snowdrifter’s snowmobile club to provide emergency training on snowmobile accidents and hypothermia
• Provide access and placement inside fire station for winter rescue sled and over-snow vehicle
• Emergency radios within Camp Timberwolf, LDS camp and Sandy Point to report emergencies which expedites medical and fire response to emergencies at or near the camps
• Mutual aid response to emergency calls for our neighbors in Meadow Valley when they need help or are called to help Quincy Fire on a large incident in Quincy or other parts of the County
  • Participate in Plumas County wide training events to better understand our role and how we can learn unique skills from other Fire Dept. responders.                           9.7.18