New Board Member Appointed

The Aptos/La Selva Fire District welcomes our newest Board Director, Mr. Jim Abendschan.    Director Abendschan will be filling the vacancy left by Mr. Don Ramos, through the end of the term.  Director Abendschan holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from San Jose State and an MAM/BA from the University of Redlands.  He has many years of industrial experience, starting as a machinist (and member of the Machinist Union) while in college and working his way up to president and CEO of Spectra-Mat Inc. in Watsonville; he retired in May 2009.  In addition to his education and work experience, Director Abendschan has been on the board and president of the Los Barrancos Homeowners Association, a member of the SCORE advisory group “to promote the entrepreneur using the library system,” and a member of the Committee for Good School Governance (PVUSD). 

Director Abendschan will be sworn in at the next regularly scheduled Board Meeting on Thursday, February 11th, at 7 PM. 

Capt. Greg Hansen Awarded 2009 Firefighter of the Year Award

The Firefighter of the year award, presented each year by VFW post #10110, is being presented to Captain Greg Hansen at the beginning of the next regular board meeting on Thursday, January 14th.  Nominated by many of his peers, his service to the community, professionalism, and particulary his noteworthy rescue of Jacob Kirkendall (pictured below) during the June 28th power line incident will be highlighted.

New: CERT Informational Video

A new 17-minute educational film about the history of CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) and their part in disaster preparation and response in Santa Cruz County is now available on our site, either by the scroll-down menu (under CERT/CERT Video), or by clicking the link here. Thanks to Ron Powell for producing this informative video, and to the many CERT team and fire service representatives that participated in it's making.  

Thanks to many generous members of our community, the annual holiday toy drive exceeded expectations, and delivered over 6,000 items (including toys, bikes, clothing and accessories) to children in need this holiday season.  We couldn't have done it without the help of such a giving community!

Toys for Tots Drive Surpasses Goals for 2010

Captain Greg Hansen was presented with the 2009 Firefighter of the Year award, for his commitment to public service, and the heroic Kirkendall rescue earlier in the year.  The Kirkendall family, several department members, friends and family attended the meeting, as local VFW representative Terry Reeder (far right in photo below)  presented the award.