Backyard Burn Season Begins December 1st:
The annual backyard burn season for burning natural vegetation runs from December 1st through April 30th, 2009. Residents of one or two family dwellings (who meet the requirements specified) may obtain permits for backyard burning at our main Administrative Office at 6934 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Burning will be allowed on permissive "burn days" only, as reported by the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District. For status on burn days, you can call the MBUAPCD at 1-800-CAL-BURN (225-2876). Backyard burning that is done without permits, or on no-burn days will be subject to fines, where applicable. For more information on burn requirements, contact the Administrative Office at 831-685-6690.
Firefighter/Paramedic Career Opportunities:
Applications for Firefighter/Paramedic positions are now available at our main office at 6934 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Applicants will be asked to participate in written and oral testing (dates given on application), and The Firefighter/Paramedic eligible list established via this recruitment may be used to fill regular and temporary vacancies at any of the participating agencies.
Member agencies participating in this recruitment are: Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District; City of Santa Cruz Fire Department; Scotts Valley Fire Protection District; and City of Watsonville Fire Department. The deadline for submitting applications is 12/19/08. For more information, call the Administration office at 831-685-6690, or download the employment information link to the right of this article.
Other upcoming dates (subject to change):
• 1/14-1/15 Written examination of candidates who meet minimum qualifications.
• 1/27-1/30 Oral examination of top candidates who passed the written exam.
Eligible list established in rank order; top candidates on list will be referred to agencies as openings occur. Conditional job offers may require background, psych and medical testing.
Second Harvest Holiday Food Drive Begins:
As of the first week of November (through the third week of December), donations of non-perishable food are being accepted at all three of our locations in Aptos and La Selva Beach. Monetary donations will also be accepted at our main admin office (6934 Soquel Drive, Aptos), or you can mail checks or money orders directly to Second Harvest Food Bank at 800 Ohlone Parkway, Watsonville, CA 95076-7005. Food collected for Second Harvest during the Holiday Food Drive goes to help feed approx. 47,000 people per month during the winter months and throughout the year. Please help us make this holiday season a healthier and happier one for the less fortunate in our community this winter!
Toys for Tots Drive Begins:
In addition to our annual food drive, the fire stations will also be collecting toys for Toys for Tots, from Nov. 26th through December 15th. Donations of new, unwrapped gifts will be accepted at this time. For more information on Toys for Tots, contact the Santa Cruz County Program Director Delilah Valadez at Delilahvaladez@aol.com, or visit them on the web at www.toys4tots.us/santacruzcounty.
Holiday Hours for November 2008:
The Administrative Office at 6934 Soquel Drive, Aptos, will be closed on the following days this month:
Veterans Day: Tuesday, Nov. 11th
Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th
New CERT Training Available:
CERT classes are being conducted this month, for both returning and new CERT teams, from 11/10 to 12/15. For times and specifics on CERT training check out our new online Events Calendar, visit our CERT Information page or contact Capt. Mike Conrad at mikec@aptosfire.com.