Department Info

“A Tradition of Service Since 1902”
STATION 26

  • The Winters Fire Department is located at 700 Main Street, Winters, CA 95694.
  • The Department provides service 24/7, 365 days a year and serves a population of approximately 7000.
  • You can contact the Fire Department office Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, at 530-795-4131.
  • The Winters Fire Department is made up of 4 career and 50 volunteer personnel. Administration consists of one Fire Chief, three Captains and one part-time volunteer Secretary.
  • The City and the Winters Fire Protection District are served by one station, and covers approximately 86 square miles in Yolo County.
  • The Winters Fire Department gives and receives additional firefighting resources from all of the surrounding fire districts as well as resources from Yolo, Solano and Napa County Fire Departments on a mutual aid basis.
  • Station 26 runs approximately 700 calls per year, depending on the fire season.
  • The City of Winters currently has an ISO Rating of 4 and an 8B in the District.

The Department is organized into three divisions, each with a specific area of responsibility. Each of the divisions oversees several important functions including personnel, emergency response, training, fire prevention, fire inspections, public education, fire investigations, EMS, and facility & fleet maintenance.

Fire Operations & Training

Fire Department Operations consists of three shift assignments: A, B, and C shifts. Currently there are three full-time career Fire Captains, who each work a 48/96 work cycle (2 days on/4 days off) and each fill one of the assigned shifts. Our daily staffing maintains a minimum of two firefighters on shift every day, this includes one career Fire Captain and one volunteer Firefighter 24/7 where they staff one Type I Engine. The WFD utilizes a Volunteer/Reserve Firefighter program to augment daily staffing up to a total of four personnel on the engine.

Personnel

Career Staff:

  • Fire Chief – Jack Snyder
  • A Shift Captain, Fleet/Facilities & EMS – Cheyne Baumgart
  • B Shift Captain, Operations & Training – Matthew Schechla
  • C Shift Captain, Fire Prevention & Public Education – Jesus Marquez


Volunteers:

  • Captain – Terry Karlen
  • Battalion Chief -Ron Karlen
  • Lieutenant – Phil Hoag
  • Engineers:  Willie Barrera, Jeff Winslow


Volunteer Firefighters

Adrian RamirezEduardo PreciadoRon Karlen
Alexander MercerEric BeckleyRudy Valencia
Alfonso (Jr) MederosJeff WinslowRyan Hunt
Anthony PlasenciaJesus MarquezSteve Grisham
Arden ParkerJohn LaraTerry Karlen
Barbara KarlenJohn LoarcoTim Robins
Brian HuntJuan LopezTorin Eggers
Brian MadsenKyle VaudrinTomas Stiles
Bob WilliamsLuis HerreraVictor Diaz
Casey MeyersMelvin SelfWillie Barrera
Chris OsborneNick Hunter
Dave CallisonRigo Garcia

Training Division: Training Captain, Matthew Schechla

The goal of the training division is to provide the highest level safety and training with the purpose of delivering quality service to our community through care, compassion and courage. The Training Division is responsible for the coordination, scheduling and delivery of mandated training for career and volunteer firefighters. Training includes occupational safety, professional development, volunteer firefighter program, monthly drills, EMS administration, fire suppression, company evaluations, performance based skills and communications.

Firefighters are required to meet minimum training requirements mandated at both the State and Federal levels. It is the responsibility of the training officer to develop department training standards and schedules that ensure all mandated requirements are met. Most firefighters are California State Fire Marshal (CSFM) Certified to the Firefighter I level with several being certified at Firefighter II level.

The CSFM provides career development tracks for Firefighter through Chief Officers; the Winters Fire Department utilizes these tracks to facilitate our training programs. At the emergency medical service level, all staff are certified at basic first aid and CPR. Dozens are certified at the Emergency Medical Technician (E.M.T.) All E.M.T.’s are also automatic external defibrillator qualified.

Training topics include:

  • Auto Extrication
  • Harassment Training for Supervisors
  • Wildland Firefighting
  • Structural Firefighting
  • Fire Behavior
  • Thermal Imaging Cameras
  • Communications
  • Master Streams
  • Ladders
  • Search & Rescue
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Ventilation
  • Multi-Company Evolutions & Performance Standards
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Swift Water Rescue Awareness & Operations

City of Winters Limit Line

Organization Chart