Earlier this week, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation hosted its annual Fire Awards Ceremony, honoring exemplary leaders, new recruits and outstanding partner organizations for their work.

Established in 2004, the Yocha Dehe Fire Department is a state-of-the-art public service agency with 36 firefighters and support staff, providing paramedic services and specialty rescues, including swift water and vehicle extrication. It is one of the few fire agencies in California — and the only Native fire department — to achieve international accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI).

“We are incredibly proud of the Yocha Dehe Fire Department and the emergency services they provide in the Capay Valley and far beyond,” said Anthony Roberts, Tribal Chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. “Our fire department has evolved into a world-class fire agency that responds to emergencies across the West Coast and repeatedly achieves the prestigious honor of international accreditation.”The awards ceremony held on Wednesday, March 26, honored Yocha Dehe personnel and members of partner agencies and community organizations. The following awards were presented:

Leadership Award — Sean Works, Yocha Dehe Engineer/Paramedic

Firefighter of the Year — Cole McGowan, Yocha Dehe Firefighter/Paramedic

Marshall McKay Community Impact Award — John Foster

Legacy Leadership Award — Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Tribal Fire Crew 42

Yocha Dehe New Hire Badge Pinnings: Mark Maguire, Riley Dupont, Jack McGowan

“We want to congratulate each and every award recipient for their heroism, hard work and dedication,” said Chairman Roberts. “We also want to recognize our valued partnerships with The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Tribal Fire Crew 42 and John Foster. Yocha Dehe is committed to investing in our partners to protect and strengthen the entire region.”

As cities and counties face tough budget cuts, the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has stepped up to help fill those gaps and keep communities safe. The Tribe is dedicated to supporting neighboring fire agencies by providing apparatus, fire suppression equipment and emergency response vehicles.

Yocha Dehe’s Doyuti T’uhkama & Community Fund has provided 45 grants to 20 fire departments totaling nearly $3 million. The Tribe also contributed more than $1 million to recovery efforts for communities devastated by fires.

The Yocha Dehe Fire Department has traveled to countless fire incidents across the West Coast, most recently as part of a Yolo County Strike Team to support the Los Angeles Fires.

They also protect communities in Yolo and Solano Counties, as more than 40% of calls are outside of the area. In the spirit of partnership, Yocha Dehe Fire welcomes neighboring fire departments in these counties along with volunteer agencies to train on-site at its state-of-the-art training tower.