CLEARLAKE— Autumn Lancaster and Chief William Sapeta of the Lake County Fire Protection District spoke Thursday at the judge’s breakfast in Clearlake. The pair discussed fire prevention strategies and focuses as well as their ongoing outreach programs.
Chief Sapeta began the presentation with an introduction of the LCFPD and the 165 square miles they cover. The LCFPD is located at 14815 Olympic Drive in Clearlake and services the Clearlake and Lower Lake areas. LCFPD is the result of the consolidation of Lower Lake Fire Protection District and Lakeshore Fire Protection District in 2001. Giving an overview of the types of situations fire fighters respond to Sapeta said, “Firefighters take the calls no one else wants to take.”
Referring to the 2023 Annual Report which is available on the LCFPD website www.lakecountyfire.com, Lancaster added some statistics from this past year noting that on average they receive “16 calls every 24 hours.” She added that emergency medical services calls account for 85 percent of all calls, and also how this past round of winter storms brought on 107 calls due to storm damage in February. They also responded to a total of 36 vegetation fires, the largest at 28 acres, and 35 residential fires this past year. Lancaster said, “We also had three fire fighters complete probation and were then sworn in as full time employees.” They also shared how 2023 was a “remarkable year” where the department responded to a cardiac arrest call once every five days.
There have been large efforts made in fire prevention with the department having received grant funding to continue mitigating large amounts of land, hiring more staff, and upgrading their response equipment. Last year the department was able to secure new fire engines as well as two new ambulances. Sapeta shared his gratitude for Hillside Honda who recently donated an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) enabling the department to respond more quickly to off road incidences where larger vehicles cannot gain access.
When compared to other surrounding counties, Lake County has a higher call volume. Lake County Chamber of Commerce CEO Laura McAndrew Sammel asked, “What would you attribute the higher rate of calls in Lake County?” To which Chief Sapeta responded the county’s lack of specialized services noting that across the United States EMS services have become basic care as many individuals face extensive wait times for medical clinics, all the while EMS providers face staffing issues to keep up with the demand. This trend coupled with the county’s elderly population results in the higher rare of calls. “A lot of our population is aging and has co-morbid factors like diabetes… who wait for care until they are so sick, they need emergency care.” Lancaster added that because of the statewide paramedics shortage, the current standard wait for a paramedic to be fully licensed is five years.
Sapeta discussed the current high school programs thanking Konocti Unified School District Superintendent Becky Solato for her collaborative efforts in establishing EMS training classes in high school, and currently has 11 students enrolled in the program who can continue their training after graduation and become on staff paramedics.
Next week’s speaker at the Judge’s Breakfast will be Annie Tiner, a teacher and operator of Jack’s Lavender Farm in Lower Lake.
