Operations

American Canyon Fire Protection District Operations: Protecting Our Community 24/7

The Operations Division of the American Canyon Fire Protection District (ACFPD) is the backbone of our emergency response efforts, ensuring the safety and well-being of our community around the clock. Our highly trained firefighters and paramedics respond to fires, medical emergencies, rescues, and hazardous incidents, providing swift and effective service when it matters most.

Beyond emergency response, training and preparedness are key to our success. Our crews participate in rigorous training programs, staying up to date with the latest firefighting techniques, medical protocols, and safety procedures. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures we are always ready for any challenge.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s fire prevention, community outreach, or disaster preparedness, ACFPD is dedicated to keeping American Canyon resilient and prepared. Our mission is to provide reliable and progressive emergency response, protecting life and property from fires, medical emergencies, and other hazards, while also seeking opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of the community.

Assistant Fire Chief Cliff Campbell

Assistant Fire Chief Cliff Campbell began his fire service career as a Fire Explorer with the City of Vallejo. His journey has included roles as a reserve firefighter with the American Canyon Fire Protection District, as well as serving with the Vacaville Fire Department and Vallejo Fire Department. In 2022, he came full circle, returning to ACFPD as the Assistant Fire Chief.

Throughout his career, Assistant Chief Campbell has held various leadership and operational roles, including paramedic, Captain, Battalion Chief, training coordinator, Academy instructor, live fire cadre, paramedic liaison, and peer support team member. He also served as an Interim Deputy Chief and spent nine years as an Area Coordinator.

In his current role, Assistant Fire Chief Campbell oversees the Operations Division of the District, ensuring the highest level of service, safety, and preparedness for the community.

Training Division

The American Canyon Fire Protection District Training Division develops, implements and maintains programs supporting the safe, efficient and effective actions of District personnel. The Training Division serves all departments including Suppression, Fire Prevention, Volunteers, Management and Administrative Staff. The District's Training Division is overseen by the Assist Chief, in charge of Operations, and implemented by two Battalion Chiefs.

The Training Division coordinates specialized in-house training to convey new concepts and techniques, reinforce existing skills and address modern advances in the delivery of emergency services which maintain the high skill level of District personnel. Specialized training programs cover such diverse topics as Low Angle Rope Rescue, Confined Space Rescue Operations, Wildland Urban Interface Firefighting, Auto Extrication, and Fire Ground Operations.

The District is committed to providing training that meets or exceeds fire service industry standards and accomplishes this in part by utilizing instructors certified by the California State Fire Marshal, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, the California Incident Command Certification System and other recognized certifying agencies. The District is fortunate to count among its employees several such certified and qualified instructors and where possible utilizes some of the most notable industry professionals to instruct District personnel.

The Training Division coordinates and provides instruction for recruit firefighters through an in-house Firefighter Academy. In addition, a Captain Program for prospective company officers.

Through the Acquired Structure Program, citizens who have planned demolition of a structure on their property can donate the structure to the District for training. The training consists of highly realistic drills and, at times, live-fire training, exercising carefully planned, controlled operations utilizing the vacant structure. The training drills reinforce important skills necessary for search and rescue, and fire suppression in residential structures. This training provides extremely valuable experience for our firefighters. Please contact Assistant Chief Campbell for more information regarding the District's Acquired Structure Program.

The Training Division maintains a very active role in joint regional training with surrounding agencies, County and State fire training officer associations, and through its affiliations with national organizations dedicated to increasing the quality and safety of fire training. This network helps fulfill the Training Division's mission to ensure District personnel provide a very high level of emergency and non-emergency services to the community and return home safely at the end of each shift.

Advanced Life Support (ALS) Services

Established in 2014, The American Canyon Fire Protection District (ACFPD) provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) services, ensuring the highest level of pre-hospital emergency medical care for the community. Each Type 1 Fire Engine is staffed daily with a paramedic, allowing for rapid, life-saving interventions during medical emergencies.

ACFPD's ALS program is overseen by a Battalion Chief, EMS Coordinator, and a supervising physician, ensuring continuous quality improvement and adherence to the highest standards of patient care.

ACFPD ALS units are equipped with cutting-edge medical technology, including:

AutoPulse Resuscitation Systems (LUCAS Device): Provides automated, high-quality chest compressions to improve survival rates in cardiac arrest patients.
Advanced Cardiac Monitoring & Medication Administration: Ensures timely diagnosis and treatment in critical situations.

ACFPD participates in the Napa County Automated Patient Care Reporting (PCR) system, a sophisticated software that captures patient data as soon as a 9-1-1 call is received. This system enhances patient care monitoring and evaluation, improving outcomes for those in need.

The District is committed to protecting patient privacy and upholds a comprehensive Privacy Practices Policy, ensuring strict confidentiality of all patient healthcare information.

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team

The American Canyon Fire Protection District (ACPFD) Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team is a specialized unit trained to respond to complex rescue situations, particularly in urban environments. This team is equipped to handle incidents involving structural collapses, confined space rescues, trench rescues, and other technical rescue scenarios.

Structural Collapse Rescue: Responds to buildings that have been damaged by earthquakes, explosions, or fires, searching for and rescuing trapped individuals.
Confined Space Rescue: Conducts rescues in hazardous, enclosed areas such as tunnels, silos, and underground vaults.
Trench Rescue: Stabilizes and rescues individuals trapped in collapsed trenches, which are common in construction accidents.
High-Angle Rescue: Performs rescues at elevated locations like cliffs, towers, or high-rise buildings.
Vehicle and Machinery Extrication: Assists in complex extrications where victims are trapped in vehicles or heavy machinery.

By integrating USAR capabilities, the ACPFD ensures it is well-prepared to handle complex rescue operations, keeping both the public and first responders safe.

Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Team

The ACPFD Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Team is a specialized unit trained to respond to and mitigate hazardous materials incidents that pose a risk to public safety and the environment. These incidents can involve chemical spills, gas leaks, biological hazards, and other dangerous substances.

What the HazMat Team Does:

Hazard Identification & Containment: Detects and assesses hazardous materials, ensuring proper containment to prevent further exposure.
Chemical Spill Response: Manages spills from industrial sites, transportation accidents, and other sources to minimize environmental impact.
Gas Leak Mitigation: Locates and controls leaks of flammable or toxic gases, ensuring public and firefighter safety.
Decontamination Operations: Decontaminates affected individuals, equipment, and areas to reduce the risk of exposure.
Terrorism & WMD Response: Trains for incidents involving biological, chemical, or radiological threats.
Collaboration with Agencies: Works alongside law enforcement, environmental agencies, and health departments for coordinated emergency response.

What the Team Trains For:

Hazard Recognition & Risk Assessment: Learning to identify hazardous substances quickly and accurately.
Advanced Protective Equipment Use: Training in Level A and B suits, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and other protective gear.
Decontamination Procedures: Practicing safe and effective decontamination for both victims and emergency personnel.
Toxicology & Chemical Behavior: Understanding how hazardous substances react in different conditions.
Incident Command & Communication: Coordinating response efforts with local, state, and federal agencies.
Live Scenario Drills: Conducting full-scale simulations of chemical spills, gas leaks, and mass decontamination events.

The ACPFD HazMat Team plays a critical role in protecting the community from hazardous threats, ensuring a safe and effective response to any emergency involving dangerous materials.

Partnership Between ACFPD and REACH Air Ambulance

The American Canyon Fire Protection District (ACFPD) has partnered with REACH Air Ambulance to enhance emergency response services for Napa County and surrounding areas. This program will provide emergency and interfacility air medical transport, aerial fire reconnaissance, and additional emergency services to better serve the community. REACH, a fully accredited air medical transportation provider, will collaborate with ACFPD to deliver rapid and effective life-saving services. This partnership is expected to significantly improve the Fire District’s emergency response capabilities by offering:

Faster Response Times: Air medical transport ensures critically ill or injured patients receive expedited care, improving survival and recovery rates.
Comprehensive Coverage: In addition to medical transport, REACH will provide aerial fire reconnaissance, supporting ACFPD’s efforts in fire detection, prevention, and suppression.
Increased Operational Capacity: By utilizing REACH’s resources, ACFPD can enhance its ability to respond to large-scale emergencies requiring aerial support.

This collaboration strengthens ACFPD’s commitment to providing high-quality emergency services and improving safety for residents and visitors in the region.