August 18, 2026 Newsletter

First Aid & CPR Training at Westside Elementary

On August 10, we provided First Aid and CPR training to the Westside Elementary School teachers and staff. It is important for teachers and staff to know CPR and first aid since they are often the first adults on the scene when a child has a medical emergency. Our experienced firefighters are always excited to share their knowledge and show community members how to take care of others. To sign up or learn more about First Aid and CPR training, visit our webpage First Aid & CPR Training.

A paramedic tends to a person with a bandaged arm, while two women observe, in a casual indoor setting.
A woman in a uniform is giving a presentation on seizure response, with guidelines displayed on a screen.
Firefighter Pattenaude teaches first aid & CPR
Four individuals, including a police officer, engage in conversation in a room with a table and food items.
Firefighter Olson meets with Westside staff
May contain: officer, person, police officer, accessories, belt, adult, male, man, wristwatch, glasses, female, and woman
Firefighters Olson & Pattenaude
A paramedic tends to a person with a bandaged arm, while two women observe, in a casual indoor setting.
Firefighter Pattenaude demonstrates first aid techniques
A woman in a uniform is giving a presentation on seizure response, with guidelines displayed on a screen.
Four individuals, including a police officer, engage in conversation in a room with a table and food items.
May contain: officer, person, police officer, accessories, belt, adult, male, man, wristwatch, glasses, female, and woman
A paramedic tends to a person with a bandaged arm, while two women observe, in a casual indoor setting.

Northern Sonoma County Fire Assists Neighboring Fire Agencies

We have been busy helping other other agencies on fires threatening their communities. Assists include the Woodside Fire and the Feliz Fire.

Woodside Fire

Captain Stewart, along with Firefighters Leandro, Pattenaude and Olson, responded to the Woodside Fire, which burned 152 acres in Sonoma County in the Salt Point State Park area.

Silhouetted firefighters in helmets with red lights stand amidst smoky trees, creating an atmospheric scene of fire response.
Silhouetted firefighters in helmets with red lights stand amidst smoky trees, creating an atmospheric scene of fire response.
The image shows a view from a vehicle with a foggy background, likely smoke from a fire, and emergency vehicles on the roadside.
Woodside Fire
A smoky sky at sunset, with trees and a wooden fence in the foreground, hinting at nearby smoke or fire activity.
Woodside Fire
A wildfire scene with flames and smoke engulfing trees, alongside a person battling the fire in a grassy area.
Woodside Fire
A landscape showing blackened terrain from a wildfire, with smoke rising in the distance under a clear blue sky.
Woodside Fire
The image shows three firefighters in gear, posing outdoors in a grassy area. They're smiling and taking a break.
Engineer Bowman with Firefighters Robertson and Leandro
Silhouetted firefighters in helmets with red lights stand amidst smoky trees, creating an atmospheric scene of fire response.
The image shows a view from a vehicle with a foggy background, likely smoke from a fire, and emergency vehicles on the roadside.
A smoky sky at sunset, with trees and a wooden fence in the foreground, hinting at nearby smoke or fire activity.
A wildfire scene with flames and smoke engulfing trees, alongside a person battling the fire in a grassy area.
A landscape showing blackened terrain from a wildfire, with smoke rising in the distance under a clear blue sky.
The image shows three firefighters in gear, posing outdoors in a grassy area. They're smiling and taking a break.

Feliz Fire

Engineer Bowman and Firefighters Leandro and Robertson responded to the Feliz Fire in Mendocino County. The Feliz Fire burned 872 acres in the area around Feliz Creek Road, west of Hopland. 

A view from a vehicle showing smoke rising from a wildfire on a hillside, with dry grass and trees nearby.
View of the Feliz Fire
Firefighters battling a wildfire at dusk, with flames engulfing a tree and smoke rising in a forested area.
Firefighters Robertson & Leandro at Feliz Fire
A view from a vehicle showing smoke rising from a wildfire on a hillside, with dry grass and trees nearby.
Feliz Fire
A smoky landscape at sunset, with remnants of a fire on the hills and a dirt path winding through the charred terrain.
Feliz Fire
Firefighters battling a wildfire at dusk, with flames engulfing a tree and smoke rising in a forested area.
A view from a vehicle showing smoke rising from a wildfire on a hillside, with dry grass and trees nearby.
A smoky landscape at sunset, with remnants of a fire on the hills and a dirt path winding through the charred terrain.

Wildfire Season Continues

In Sonoma County, fire season continues well into the Fall. Some of our largest and most destructive wildfires have taken place from August to October, including the Walbridge Fire (August 2020), Kincade Fire (October 2019), and the Pocket Fire (October 2017). 

Map showing Northern Sonoma County fire history with various large fires and burned area statistics.
Wildfire History Map

Safety Alerts

It is important to remain vigilant and prepared during these upcoming months. Knowledge and awareness is critical to knowing what to do next.

We recommend signing up for the following alerts:

  • SoCoAlert: Messages regarding the safety, property or welfare of the residents of Sonoma County, California, including evacuation notifications, shelter-in-place orders, boil water advisories, tsunami warnings, and flood warnings.
  • Nixle: Email and text messages from local fire and law enforcement agencies that include public safety messages as well as emergency information.
  • PulsePoint: A 911-connected app that can immediately inform you of emergencies occurring in your community and can request your help when CPR is needed nearby. 

Other resources include:

Generator Safety Tips

Public safety power shutoffs, usually due to high winds and fire danger, can lead to an increased use of generators. It is important to know that portable generators emit carbon monoxide, a poisonous, deadly gas. Use these tips to avoid carbon monoxide exposure:

  • Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 20 feet from all doors, windows, and vent openings. 
  • Never use the generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.
  • Place generators so that exhaust fumes can't enter the home through windows, doors or other openings in the building. The exhaust must be directed away from the building.
  • Make sure to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Follow manufacturer's instructions for correct placement and mounting height.
  • Turn off generators and let them cool off before refueling. Never refuel a generator while it is hot.
  • Store fuel for the generator in a container that is intended for the purpose and is correctly labeled as such. Store the container outside of living areas.

When plugging in appliances, make sure they are plugged directly into the generator or a heavy duty outdoor-rated extension cord. The cords should be checked for cuts, tears and that the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin. If you must connect the generator to the house wiring to power appliances, have a qualified electrician install a properly rated transfer switch in accordance with the National Electrical Code® (NEC) and all applicable state and local electrical codes.

Don't Forget!

Portable generator exhaust is toxic and deadly. Do not stand or sit downwind of generator exhaust. If you can smell exhaust, you are inhaling it.

The image shows a Honda EU3000is inverter generator, commonly used for portable power needs.
Join our mailing list