Securing a Nation, Caring for a Community
Tuolumne Rancheria Fire Department

Our Mission:

The Tuolumne Rancheria fire Department primary mission is to protect the lives and property of the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indian and its people. The Tuolumne Rancheria Fire Department will strive to deliver the best service from adverse effects of fire, medical emergencies, and dangerous conditions created by either man or nature.

Department Motto:

The motto of the Tuolumne Rancheria Fire and Security is: “Securing a Nation, Caring for a Community”.

Department History:

In 2004 the Tuolumne Rancheria Fire Department was established by Kenneth Cox who at the time was the Fire Chief. Chief Cox obtained the current Bureau of Indian Affairs Fire Engine, and also hired and trained six new recruits to be wild land Firefighters.

Today the listed personnel make up the roster for the department. The Fire Department is a vital part of the county response system, in respect to wild land fire responses in the Tuolumne city area. The current fire crew has traveled as far south to the San Diego area, and as far north as the Round Valley Indian reservation in Covelo California. All crew members are highly trained and are able to respond to and assist with any kind of fires and emergencies.

Current Fire Department Personnel:

• Fire Chief Tom Spence
• Fire Captain Kenneth Cox
• Fire Captain/EMT Bill Hutchins
• Fire Apparatus Engineer Shane Bishop
• Fire Apparatus Engineer Thomas Staton
• Firefighter/EMT Colleen Brennan
• Firefighter Chris Laios
• Intermittent Firefighter Caleb Mantzouranis

Fire Department Accomplishments:

• ** Received new “Fast Attack Engine”
• **New building for engines
• **Continuous brush clearing projects on the Rancheria
• **Received over one hundred thousand dollars worth of used donated equipment
• ** Designed new badges and uniforms for the Fire Department
• **Started 4 days a week 10 hours a day work weeks. This schedule gives coverage seven days a week ten hours a day
• **Acquired a grant to purchase a skid steer machine and brush clearing attachments
• **Obtained a structure fire fighting engine

Goals and Objectives of the Department

To provide twenty four hour coverage by January 2009