As we reach the midpoint of the year, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on our collective accomplishments and progress toward our goals. We've achieved significant milestones and overcome challenges, demonstrating our team's dedication to enhancing the quality of life for the over 210,000 residents we serve.
Our mission to provide exceptional emergency medical, fire protection, and parks and recreation services is at the heart of everything we do. We're making a real difference in our community through our innovative approaches, inclusive practices, and intentional efforts.
Last week, we came together as a District to recognize 52 personnel with years of service challenge coins for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years served. We also presented Department awards and District-wide awards to individuals recognized by their peers for their amazing contributions. This celebration was a testament to the dedication and commitment of our team members, and I'm grateful to work alongside such a talented and driven group of individuals. As we celebrate our team's achievements, let's use this momentum to propel us forward into the second half of the year.
Award
Recipients
Thank you again for your hard work and commitment to our mission. I'm excited to see what the second half of the year brings. Congratulations again to the award recipients!
PARKS & RECREATION MONTH
July marks a special time of year as we celebrate Parks and Recreation Month! This month, we honor the vital role that parks and recreation play in our community, and we recognize the hard work and dedication of the professionals who make it all possible.
Parks and Recreation services are the heart of our community, providing vibrant green spaces, recreational activities, and programs that bring people together. From summer camps to sports leagues and concerts to community events, our Parks and Recreation Department works tirelessly to create opportunities for people of all ages to connect, learn, and grow.
By providing access to nature, recreation, and social connections, parks and recreation enhance our overall quality of life, promoting physical activity, mental well-being, and a sense of community pride.
To all the parks and recreation professionals, we thank you for your dedication and hard work. You truly make a difference in the lives of others, and we are grateful for your service.
Happy Parks and Recreation Month!
BATTALION 11 IMPLEMENTATION
We are excited to announce that thanks to Measure E, the Cosumnes Fire Department has successfully rolled out two new squads at Stations 71 and 74; and an additional Battalion Chief on the westside of Elk Grove. Each squad is staffed by two experienced firefighters, including at least one paramedic, ensuring they are always ready to provide Advanced Life Support. These squads will respond to medical emergencies and other emergency incidents, improving our response times and overall safety. Stations 71 and 74 were selected due to their high call volumes, and with these new units, we anticipate faster responses, reduced wear and tear on other vehicles, and improved service for our community. The additional Battalion Chief (B11) will respond throughout the District and will be stationed at Fire Station 72. B11 will greatly assist with improved command/ control of emergency incidents and improved mentoring and development of personnel. This is a great example of how Measure E tax dollars are working to make Elk Grove safer every day.
ELK GROVE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MIXER
On July 16, the Cosumnes CSD and Elk Grove Chamber of Commerce partnered to host a successful After-Hours Business Mixer at the recently renovated Rotary Grove in Elk Grove Park. Local business leaders gathered for an evening of networking, appetizers, and drinks in a beautiful setting. Management Analyst Sandhya Sami coordinated the event on behalf of the District, creating a valuable opportunity for professionals to connect and build relationships. The evening was filled with lively conversations and new connections.
THE BIAS INSIDE US
District staff engaged with 'The Bias Inside Us,' a thought-provoking interactive exhibition at Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School, to deepen their understanding of implicit bias and its far-reaching impact on their perspectives and interactions with the world. As a fun bonus, staff were encouraged to capture their experience and submit a photo for a raffle drawing. Congratulations to Shannon Reyes, our Claims Specialist, who won the prize!
UNITY PARK
Introducing Unity Park:ABrand New Neighborhood Park in East Elk Grove
The LandscapeArchitecture & Planning Division is excited to announce the development of Unity Park, a brand new four-acre neighborhood park located in Benefit Zone 11East Elk Grove. This vibrant park has been carefully designed to bring the community together, and we're eager to share its features with you.
Design Highlights:
•Custom park sign that sets the tone for a welcoming and inclusive space.
•Unique seat wall art that adds a touch of personality to the park.
•Interactive water play feature that embodies the Unity theme, perfect for kids to enjoy during warm days.
Construction Progress:
The construction documents are nearing completion, and we anticipate bidding out the project later this year. Our team has worked diligently to ensure that every detail aligns with the Unity theme, creating a cohesive and engaging space for the community.
Anticipated Opening:
We're looking forward to the grand opening of Unity Park in late 2025. This new neighborhood park will offer a tranquil escape for residents, a hub for community events, and a place for connection and play. Stay tuned for updates on the construction progress and get ready to experience the beauty of Unity Park!
ACADEMY 24-01 GRADUATION
On June 27, 2024, we graduated 20 firefighters who joined the ranks of dedicated personnel that provide exceptional service to the community. These new firefighters will continue their training and development as they continue to learn throughout their probationary period. Our community expects the best as they have since our fire department was formed in 1893. Families and friends joined to celebrate their amazing accomplishment of completing 24 weeks of rigorous training in firefighting, emergency medical services, special operations, and other components that make up the fire service. We wish our newest firefighters the best of luck as they take on their next challenge to secure of one of the most rewarding careers in the world. Job well done!
PRESCHOOL IN THE PARK
On June 7, the Preschool section hosted a successful Preschool in the Park event at Derr-Okamoto Park. This free community event offered families a unique opportunity to experience our preschool program in a fun and interactive outdoor setting. Over 40 participants enjoyed a variety of engaging activities, including tabletop adventures, soccer drills with our sports team, and story time sessions led by our experienced teachers.
BBQ ON THE BEAT
On June 29, Rec Force One and the Youth Outreach Advocate, a position funded by Measure E, partnered with the Elk Grove Police Department at the BBQ on the Beat event. They offered recreation activities and showcased District programs, demonstrating another great example of how Measure E tax dollars are being used to support community initiatives and promote public safety.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Free Fitness in the Park
Saturdays July 13-August 3
4 weeks, 4 different parks! 9:00 am
National Night Out
August 1
Various Locations 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Hot Summer Nights Concert Series
Fridays inAugust
LagunaTown HallAmphitheater 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Footsteps to Fire
August 3
FireTraining Division 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Community Campout
August 3-4
Elk Grove Park 12:00 pm Saturday & 11:00 am Sunday
U-Matter Part-Time Celebration August 14
LagunaTown Hall 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
BADGE PINNING CEREMONY
On July 11, we celebrated the achievements of our exceptional team members at the badge pinning ceremony held at District 56! These new positions, made possible by Measure E, will support the launch of Squad 71, Squad 74, and Battalion 11. These units will enhance our response capabilities, reduce call volume, improve response times, and strengthen incident command. Congratulations and a warm welcome to our newly promoted team members!
Department proudly held a traditional push-in ceremony to introduce the newest addition to our fleet: Engine 77. This ceremony, steeped in history dating back to the 18th century, honors the past while embracing the future.
Originally, horse-drawn fire engines required a manual push into the station after each call. Although modern apparatus has evolved, the tradition endures. The celebration at Station 77 marks a significant milestone for the District, the Fire Department, and the Elk Grove Community.
The ceremony featured firefighters and the Station 77 crew pushing the new engine into the bay by hand, just as their predecessors did centuries ago. We take great pride in adding this state-of-the-art engine to our fleet, ensuring Station 77 remains equipped to protect our community for years to come.
ROTARY GROVE RENOVATION CELEBRATION
On June 12, the District proudly hosted a Renovation Celebration at the newly transformed Rotary Grove in Elk Grove Park. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony accompanied by heartfelt speeches from Board President Jim Luttrell, District personnel, and dedicated Rotarian members. The speakers showcased the remarkable changes to the space and expressed their sincere gratitude for the renovation, which will undoubtedly bring many benefits to the community. The celebration attracted over 75 community members, who joined in to mark this significant milestone and enjoy refreshments. The event was a huge success, promoting a sense of community and excitement for Rotary Grove's future.
LAGUNA TOWN SQUARE RENOVATION CELEBRATION
On June 20, the District proudly hosted a Renovation Celebration at Town Square Park, marking the completion of an exciting transformation! This fantastic renovation brought a brand-new playground and vital improvements to accessibility and walkability. The community turned out in force, with over 100 neighbors stopping by to join in the fun, enjoy a refreshing snow cone, and celebrate the enhanced space.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
This year, Independence Day and the days surrounding it were busier than previous years. The memorable celebrations that took place to honor our country’s independence resulted in several vegetation and structure fires throughout the District. Additionally, the extreme heat throughout the month of July proved to try our personnel physically and mentally. However, personnel from all departments greatly stepped up to provide outstanding service to our community, especially our firefighters who worked tirelessly in temperatures exceeding 110 degrees. Job well done!
NEW HIRES
Craig Pattenaude, Marketing and Communications Supervisor
Melissa Vink, Fire Inspector II
Andrea Serna, Fire Inspector II
Brandon Bale, Fire Inspector I
PROMOTIONS
Chris Schamber, Battalion Chief
Rick Haas, Battalion Chief
Bryan McLean, Battalion Chief
Adam Nattrass, Captain
Kevin MacFarland, Captain
Kyle Boehringer, Captain
Patrick Dellenback, Engineer
STAFF HIGHLIGHT
Our Staff Highlight this month is Lisa Gates, Management Analyst for the Parks and Recreation Department. Lisa started working at the District in September of 2023, but has lived in Elk Grove her entire life. Outside of work, Lisa enjoys baking, gardening, reading, and recently taught herself how to embroider. She is married to her high school sweetheart and together they have two daughters (ages 4 and 1). In addition to their girls, the Gates family keeps themselves busy with three big dogs and a cat. Lisa enjoys planning trips for their family just as much as she enjoys going on the trips.
