Petrolia Volunteer fire Department
About us
Located in the remote Mattole Valley of Humboldt County, California, the Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) was founded in the early 1950's, and in 2013 became a 501c3 non-profit organization. The primary functions of the volunteer-driven department include, but are not limited to, providing fire protection for district residents and their property, emergency medical services, hazardous materials containment and cleanup, fire suppression services and assisting in disaster relief efforts when appropriate with other governmental agencies.
Our community is situated in a geographically isolated region that has historically underserved by the county. The fire district is located near and along the Mattole River, three miles from the Pacific Ocean. Our area of response starts at Cooskie Mountain and travels some 22 miles north, past Cape Mendocino and Capetown. This response area covers an expanse of approximately forty-five square miles of pothole riven county road, and copious rugged side dirt roads. The area includes mountains, rolling hills and valleys that are covered in vegetation of many types, including forest and grass lands. In addition to life and property threats, we are experiencing an unprecedented increase in wild land fire danger.
The nearest mutual aid for fire and medical emergencies is 35 minutes away, depending on weather and/or road conditions. An engine from outside the valley takes between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours to respond. The PVFD has formal mutual agreeements with Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department and Honeydew Volunteer Fire Company. We coordinate with Telegraph Ridge Volunteer Fire, the local CalFire station, Bureau of Land Management, the US Coast Guard and the California Department of Forestry to provide search, rescue, medical and fire response services.
Although small in comparison to urban fire districts, PVFD meets similar demands and challenges, if not more, due to the wild land fire threats and isolated location of our community. We are required to respond to a range of calls including structure fires, car wrecks, medical aids, search and rope rescues, incidents near, or on the water, as well as natural disasters of several types.
Our response vehicles include, two Type-3 engines, a Type-6 engine, a 4 wheel drive medical rescue vehicle, a 2,000-gallon 4 wheel drive water tender,and an ATV with a winch and side-by-side setup for medical rescue.
In an Emergency Call 911
PHONE
Emergency Line: 707-629-3535
Business Line: 707-629-3558
Fax Line: 707-629-3587
LOCATION
98 Sherman Ave, Petrolia
petroliacafire@gmail.com
MAILING ADDRESS
PO Box 169 - Petrolia, CA 95558
More information
volunteer
The back bone of our department is our volunteers. Both our firefighters and our auxiliary department are made of local volunteers.
Click here to learn how you can join our team.
PVFD Volunteers putting out a local wildland fire.
Have a question about your fire safety?
If it is an emergency call 911.
Otherwise learn how you can prepare your home for disaster by reading our FAQ.
PVFD Volunteers doing an uphill rescue.
write us a note
If you are experiencing an emergency call 911. If you have a non-emergency feedback please leave us a message.
