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Willows Fire Department reports strike‑team deployments, ALS non‑transport rollout and $846K in grants
Summary
Fire Chief reported 2025 strike-team deployments, launch of an advanced life support non-transport program after the hospital closure, recruitment of volunteers, plans to replace Engine 2 and multiple grant awards amounting to roughly $846,650.
The Willows Fire Department presented its 2025 annual report to the City Council on March 10, reporting regional strike-team deployments, new grant awards and the launch of a local advanced life support (ALS) non-transport program following the hospital’s closure.
Fire Chief Monk said the department responded on multiple statewide strike-team assignments, pre-positioned resources under Cal OES packages, and authored six successful grant packages totaling approximately $846,650. "We authored six successful grant packages ... the total funding equated to $846,650," the chief reported, and the city expects some of that funding to offset deployment and equipment costs.
The department also described operational shifts after the hospital closure: from November through mid‑February, call patterns showed a higher share of city medical calls, prompting the department to implement an ALS non-transport program to maintain advanced care locally. The chief emphasized training and equipment updates: crews logged more than 2,000 hours of emergency training in 2025, replaced personal protective equipment through grant funds, completed NFPA-required ladder/hose/SCBA testing, and installed a new station phone system.
Capital projects on the near-term list include replacing Engine 2 (estimate ~ $800,000 funding need, with a combination of a congressional grant, CIP funds and potential lease financing), purchasing video laryngoscopes (approx. $7,500) and new EKG monitors (about $10,000). The department also reported recruiting five new volunteer firefighters in 2025 and running 1,020 calls for service with EMS/rescue the largest call category.
Council members praised the department’s volunteer recruitment and the quick establishment of ALS capability. Members asked whether the timing of federal grant receipts might delay apparatus procurement; the chief said specifications and design work will proceed and the purchase is expected to align with the fiscal year 2026–27 CIP request.
Ending: The council expressed support for the department’s grant strategy and capital plan; chief said staff will return with funding details and timeline updates as grants and procurement progress.
