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The American River Fire
Protection District was formed on August 1, 1983, by the political
consolidation of the Arden and Carmichael Fire Districts. The new District
was known as Arden-Carmichael Fire District. The “American River” name was
submitted by Chief Aalgaard in remembrance of his father, who was a
volunteer Captain in the old American River Fire District (annexed into
Sacramento Fire Department in the 1960’s). This name was voted in by the
majority of the membership and approved by the Sacramento County Board of
Supervisors December 1, 1983.
At conception, the
District consisted of six fire stations, 11 initial response units, 87 full
paid suppression staff, eight reserve firefighters, three secretaries, two
mechanics, an administrative aide, a computer programmer and a civilian fire
inspector.
The jurisdictional
boundary was approximately 26.36 square miles and had an assessed value of
$2,415,380,974 in 1983. There were approximately 85,000 residents. Total
alarms in servicing citizens were 3,715 during the inaugural year.
The Arcade Fire District
joined American River on July 1, 1986. Chief Aalgaard retired and Tom Dodaro
was named the new Fire Chief. The District grew to ten stations, 13 initial
response units, 132 safety employees, five administrative support personnel,
three mechanics, five inspectors, two messengers and one part-time
draftsman.
The jurisdictional
boundaries jumped to 34.8 square miles and an assessed value $4,463,243,755
as of November 1986. Population increased to 141,607 residents.
On April 1, 1990, the
District was again expanded with the addition of the Rio Linda Elverta Fire
Protection District and again on July 1, 1990, when the Sloughhouse Fire
Protection District was merged into the District. Chief Dodaro retired the
previous year and was succeeded by Fire Chief Dave Lake. In 1990 the
District consisted of 16 fire stations, 13 engine companies, two truck
companies, one ambulance, one air unit and two Rescue Engine Companies
(volunteer in Rio Linda Elverta). Chief Lake left in late 1990 and Charles
Short was named Fire Chief.
In 1992, Fire Chief Dale
Paulsen led American River. Chief Paulsen retired in 1995 and passed the
reigns to Rick Martinez, the District’s last Fire Chief.
The next reorganization
took place July 1, 1997, when American River was joined by Florin Fire
Protection District. The District grew to 20 stations with one extra reserve
station, 18 engine companies, two truck companies, four ambulances, two air
units and two rescue staffed engine companies. |
