The Mariposa Public Utility District Fire Department (MPUD-FD) membership serves with distinction and professionalism and has recently been awarded by the Insurance Services Organization (ISO) for its efforts. While many areas of the state are experiencing an increase in ISO ratings, the MPUD-FD is proud to have received notice that ISO ratings within the district of Mariposa have been lowered from a class 5 to a class 3. That’s something to be very proud of in these times of severe classification challenges throughout the state, which are compounded by the severe drought.
The MPUD paid call fire staff, under the direction of Chief Jim Dulcich, not only has provided the excellent service required in emergency response to properties within the district, they also provide their professional emergency response services outside of the MPUD. Their dedication to the community at large and their willingness to help is often supported by aid agreements, but is driven primarily by their pure professionalism and their individual dedication to public service by helping those in their time of need.
Other contributory factors of the favorable fire classification included major upgrades to the MPUD water system in 2004, and the new MPUD water treatment facility completed in 2013. The excellent dispatch system provided by both Cal-Fire and the Mariposa County Sheriffs Department, automatic and mutual aid agreements between MPUD, Cal-Fire, OES and Mariposa County also favored the ISO classification improvement.
The MPUD-FD is still in desperate need of volunteer/paid call staffing to continue providing this critically important public service. We are asking individuals with or without experience, to join our team and be a part of our professional fire-fighting organization. You need not live within the district to do so, but living close does help.
Our recruitment efforts often pay huge dividends for those interested in a fire service career and many have moved on to realize that dream. Ours is not only to help individuals accomplish great things but also to find individuals who will help us continue to accomplish ours, long term. You must be at least 18 years old to join.
Often during fire season we find our fire department has a critical shortage of available qualified personal to staff our paid call fire assignment requests. Please consider this our 911 call to you and that we really need your help to fill these paid-call fire-fighting positions. If you do not have the time or physical ability to help with arduous duty firefighting, the MPUD-FD would still appreciate your assistance in many other areas.
If you are a business owner or an individual who can dedicate the time to do something great for yourself and your community, or simply wish to help your FD in other ways, please contact the MPUD office at (209) 966-2515, or call Captain Dennis Buck at (209) 966-5807 for further information. If you wish to help as a fire fighter you may also stop in and pick up an application at the MPUD office located at 4992 7th Street in downtown Mariposa.
Submitted by,
MPUD-FD
Captain Dennis Buck
