MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
Over the past several months, our Cosumnes Fire Department Chief Officers have been working diligently to implement significant operational enhancements. These changes, set to roll out in the coming months, will bring about positive transformations within the Fire Department and significantly improve service delivery in our community.
The Measure E funded squads will primarily respond to EMS calls, but will also assist with structure fire responses as needed. The addition of these resources will assist with improving response times for the first-arriving unit and the required effective response force.The Measure E funded Battalion Chief, stationed at Station 72, will help address span of control and daily administrative needs, providing support to on-duty personnel. Furthermore, the new Tractor-Drawn Aerial Apparatus will offer enhanced maneuverability, thanks to its independent steering capabilities, making it particularly effective on narrow streets.
We pride ourselves on being an innovative and intentional organization. I want to take the time to thank all personnel that have had a hand in planning for the implementation of these efforts and the Chief Officers for their leadership in the continued growth of ouragency.
Our fire command team and senior leadership are eager to see the positive impact these changes will have on our service to the community.
April 2024
BILINGUAL PAY
In August of 2023, the District extended Bilingual Pay to unrepresented personnel. Per District Policy #3330 (Compensation), unrepresented employees may receive a monthly bilingual pay differential of $100. To qualify for this differential, the employee must obtain certification that confirms their bilingual proficiency. An employee who receives certification may submit for approval to receive Bilingual Pay through their management chain. For more information on how to obtain bilingual pay, please refer to the Bilingual Pay StandardOperating Proced ure (SOP).
EXTERNAL AUDITOR
The District has contracted with a new CPA firm, Maze & Associates, as the District’s new externalAuditor. Maze will perform audit of the District’s financial activities and Single Audit over federal grants. Maze has been contracted for three fiscal years starting with Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Maze will be at the District for an interim audit in mid-April 2024. Finance is excited to begin the next audit and looks forward to working with each department across the district to ensurea smoothyear-endclose.
D2 AWARDS & BANQUET
CPRS District 2 held its Awards & Installation Banquet on March 13 at the Woodcreek Golf Club. This event honors and recognizes incoming and outgoing Board Members committed to providing advocacy and events that strengthen California’s public parks and recreation industry. This event also recognizes the excellence of those agencies and individuals that publicize, develop and manage programs, parks and facilities through its awards program.
J Long was recognized as an outgoing Board Member. Cosumnes CSD’s Construction, Planning & Design team won the Facility Design & Park Planning Award for the development of Elk Grove Nature Park, and Patrick Bitcon was awarded a Professional Development Scholarship. Several District personnel attended the event to show their support.
SAMMY’S SPRING SPLASH
On March 23 , the district hosted Sammy Spring Splash. This event brought about 200 people to Wackford for an egg hunt and pool day. Proceeds from this event go towards the Making Waves Scholarship Fund.
The Cosumnes Fire Department celebrated the opening of its ninth fire station on Thursday, April 4. Located at 8350 Poppy Ridge Road in Elk Grove, Fire Station 77 is ideally situated to protect the rapidly developing southeast section of Elk Grove and improve response times in that area.The brand - new fire station covers an area of 9,010 square feet and is staffed with well-trained personnel who will operate a fire engine and an ambulance to provide crucial emergency response services. Furthermore, the station will also have a wildland fire engine specifically designed to combat grass fires. The addition of Fire Station 77 is expected to significantly impact emergency response times, meet the increased demand for emergency services, and ensure the safety of our community.The opening of Fire Station 77 marks a step forward in fulfilling the mission of providing the highest level of service to Elk Grove and Galt.
LIVE FIRE TRAINING
Cosumnes Fire conducted live fire training exercises at a house in south Elk Grove on March 28 & 29 to help build the knowledge and skills of Cosumnes Fire Academy Recruits. The fire was confined to a property owned by the City of Elk Grove on Poppy Ridge Road near Whitelock Parkway. The structure was scheduled for demolition; the recruits spent the first half of the week removing furniture and preparing the structure. They utilized skills they have been learning in the academy, such as water application, nozzle techniques, hose management, reading smoke, and building structure.This was a great training opportunity that not all Cosumnes Fire academy recruits have the opportunity to participate in.
PUMPKIN GROWERS SPRING SOCIAL
On March 23 the district hosted the Giant Pumpkin Growers Forum. This event gives our public access to information on how to grow giant pumpkins straight from the pumpkin growing pros. Special Guest from the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, Cindy Tobeck awarded several awards to local growers including a hall of fame award to our head judge, Gary Miller. This event provides participants free seeds to grow their own giant pumpkin with a strong focus on youth between the ages of 6 to 18 who qualify as futurefarmers. We had over 60participants this year, 11 of which werefuture farmers!
ARC CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN
The American Red Cross (ARC) and the Cosumnes Community Services District (CCSD) have teamed up to improve water safety education and reduce drowning rates in the Elk Grove community. This partnership is part of the ARC's Centennial Campaign, which aims to teach swimming, promote water safety, and create safer communities. This partnership makes CCSD one of 53 other Centennial Campaign partners nationwide.
Under the agreement, CCSD will expand its Learn-to-Swim and Junior Lifeguarding programs with up to $9,000 in funding from ARC. They will also offer discounted water safety instructor training and a waived registration fee for instructor training academies. CCSD will also provide water safety and CPR/AED courses for parents, engage in promotional activities, contribute to a research study, and report their progress toARC.
ARC will cover additional expenses for the expanded programming, provide training and promotional materials, and offer guidance on reporting progress and results.
With possible extensions, the agreement will be effective from March 13, 2024, to March 13, 2027. This partnership between ARC and CCSD emphasizes the importance of working together to promote water safety and reduce drowning incidents.
TEEN PATHWAYS EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIP
On March 12, Teen Pathways had its first educational field trip to California State University, Sacramento. Fourteen students, ages 12 to 18, from varying Elk Grove Schools, participated. The trip included transportation in the teen taxis to Sac State, a guided tour around campus, and lunch at RoundTable in the University Union. Measure E funded this trip.
URBAN FORESTRY TREE PLANTING
The Urban Forestry Program hosted a tree planting project at Elk Grove Park on March 25. The project consisted of 30 volunteers from FedEx through a program called One Tree Planted. They planted 26 trees donated by SMUD through the Sacramento Tree Foundation. These will replace trees that have been lost due to storms and will provide more fall color to the park. Staff assisted by pre-digging the holes and caringforthemafter.
HONORING HEROISM
Honoring Heroism in Galt! Cosumnes Fire and our public safety partners recognized the bravery of Hillary Crownover, an employee at McDonald's, who saved a life by performing CPR. Her regular customer, Bo, was able to attend the event in good health, all thanks to her quick actions.This incident highlights the importance of CPR training and immediate response during emergencies. When it comes to critical situations like cardiac arrests, every second counts. Learn CPR, be prepared, andmakea life-savingdifference!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Free Water Fitness Demo Days
• Saturday, 4/28 @ Elk Grove Aquatics Center from 1:00 p.m. –3:00 p.m.
• Free event showcasing the various Water Fitness classes, including Deep WaterAerobics, Shallow Water Aerobics, Aqua Jogging, Aqua Spin, Aqua Stretch, and more! PreRegistration Required.
RAD Games
• Saturday, May 11 at Wackford Community &Aquatic Complex
• Free event to provide an opportunity for kids and adults with disabilities to try a variety of sports and fun activities.
2024 STARS OF SERVICE AWARDS
The Mayor and Elk Grove City Council recognized several outstanding community volunteers at the April 10 City Council meeting as part of the 2024 Stars of Service Awards during National Volunteer Month. Please join in extending congratulations to Carolyn Baptista who was recognized in theArts category for her and her husband’s efforts to make Elk Grove a better place to live via their Free Little Art Gallery in their front yard.
STAFF HIGHLIGHT
Our Staff Highlight for this month is Angela Newman. She has worked for the District since 1998 and is currently a Recreation Manager. She and her husband Isaac, have two children, Allie (age 11) and William (age 8), as well as a fur baby, Harley. When she isn’t spending time with family, you can find Angela watching TV; her current bingewatch is Below Deck. As an English major, it comes as no surprise that she likes to cuddle up with a good book and cold Pepsi.Angela’s current plans for the summer are a family trip to Disneyland.
