The history of Gold Ridge Fire Protection District is a story of communities coming together with a shared commitment to protecting their neighbors.

For more than a century, fire protection throughout western Sonoma County has been shaped by dedicated volunteers, local traditions, and a strong sense of community responsibility. From small rural volunteer fire companies established by farmers and neighbors to longstanding city and special district fire departments, each organization developed its own identity while sharing the same purpose: serving and protecting its community.

Over time, these individual departments recognized the benefits of working together. Through a series of consolidations, they combined their experience, personnel, equipment, and resources to build a stronger and more coordinated fire service.

From the formation of Gold Ridge Fire Protection District in 1992 to the addition of seven volunteer fire companies in 2023 and the communities of Sebastopol and Monte Rio in 2025, each partnership has helped shape the District we serve today.

While the names and boundaries have changed, the commitment to community service has remained the same. Our history honors the people and departments that came before us and recognizes that our greatest strength comes from working together.

 

Timeline of Partnerships

1993 | The Formation of Gold Ridge Fire Protection District

Hessel, Twin Hills, and Freestone

Gold Ridge Fire Protection District was established in 1993 through the consolidation of the Hessel and Twin Hills Fire Protection Districts, and Freestone Volunteer Fire Department. This first consolidation laid the foundation for Gold Ridge Fire Protection District and established a principle that continues to guide us today: by working together, neighboring communities can provide stronger, more sustainable fire and emergency services.

Our Original Communities

Hessel Station 81 (Founded 1950) Rooted in the agricultural community of Hessel, the department's early beginnings were shaped by George and Marie Koenig, who helped establish organized fire protection for their rural neighbors. In those early years, fire calls were dispatched right from the Koenigs' kitchen table, reflecting the personal dedication and community spirit that defined volunteer firefighting. From these humble beginnings, Hessel grew to serve the surrounding farms, ranches, and rural neighborhoods, establishing a tradition of neighbors helping neighbors that became part of the foundation of Gold Ridge Fire Protection District.

Twin Hills Station 82 (Founded 1961) Serving the rural communities west of Sebastopol, Twin Hills developed a strong tradition of volunteer firefighting and community involvement. Its Fire Explorer Program, dating back to the 1970s, introduced local youth to the fire service through hands-on training and opportunities to assist with department operations. Among those who got their start in the program was Gold Ridge's current Fire Chief, Shepley Schroth-Cary. This commitment to mentoring future generations of firefighters became an important part of Twin Hills' legacy and continues today through Gold Ridge's Explorer program.

Freestone Station 80 (Founded 1952) Serving the historic community of Freestone and western Sebastopol, the Freestone Volunteer Fire Department was built on the resourcefulness and dedication of local residents. The department's first fire truck and equipment were housed in a surplus Army Quonset hut, reportedly acquired by volunteers in exchange for shingling a local resident's home. This unique beginning reflects the ingenuity, generosity, and shared commitment that shaped Freestone's firefighting history and became part of the Gold Ridge legacy.

Each community had its own history of volunteer service and strong local involvement. By joining together, these neighboring districts created a more coordinated approach to fire protection, sharing personnel, equipment, and resources while preserving their commitment to the communities they served. Together, these communities formed the foundation of Gold Ridge Fire Protection District. Their shared commitment to public safety and willingness to work together established a tradition of partnership that continues to guide the District today.

 

2023 | Seven Volunteer Fire Departments Join Gold Ridge

The CSA 40 Consolidation

In 2023, seven longstanding volunteer fire departments operating within Sonoma County's County Service Area 40 (CSA 40) became part of Gold Ridge Fire Protection District.

Each department had its own history, identity, and traditions of community service. Many were established decades before CSA 40, beginning as locally organized volunteer fire departments supported by neighbors, ranchers, and community members who recognized the need for fire protection in their areas.

The consolidation brought together their experience, local knowledge, and longstanding traditions of service, creating opportunities for greater coordination, shared resources, and improved emergency response throughout the region.

Two Rock Station 96 (Founded 1927) Serving the rural ranchlands west of Petaluma, Two Rock's early firefighters operated from a garage on Martin Mickelson's ranch. Their first official fire engine was a 1926 Chevrolet, reflecting the resourcefulness and community spirit that defined the department's beginnings.

Camp Meeker Station 55 (Founded 1931) Serving the historic redwood community of Camp Meeker, the department developed a strong tradition of volunteer firefighting in an area known for its dense forest, closely situated homes, and challenging terrain. The community's extensive fire hydrant network reflects its longstanding commitment to fire protection. Camp Meeker's firefighting history also inspired the children's book Little Buck the Fire Truck, a charming reflection of the department's connection to its community and the generations of families it served.

Lakeville Station 97 (Founded 1939) Established to serve the rural communities, agricultural properties, and transportation corridors surrounding Lakeville Road, the department developed a longstanding tradition of volunteer service. Lakeville also became known for its specialized water rescue capabilities, maintaining a rescue boat at the Petaluma Marina to respond to emergencies along the area's waterways. Today, Gold Ridge Fire Protection District proudly continues this water rescue program, carrying forward Lakeville's tradition of specialized service and regional cooperation.

Valley Ford Station 86  (Founded 1941) Established during World War II, Valley Ford's volunteers provided fire protection to the area's dairy farms, railroad facilities, and small coastal community. For many years, local fire operations were closely connected to Dinucci's establishment, a familiar gathering place in town.

Bodega Station 87 (Founded 1949) With deep roots in the historic community of Bodega, the department's early firefighters responded to calls from the historic McCaughey Hall, a longstanding community gathering place. Serving local residents, ranches, and businesses, Bodega's volunteers built a proud tradition of neighbors helping neighbors.

Wilmar Station 94 (Founded 1966) Organized under its first chief, Bob Mickelson, Wilmar began operating from a local ranch before establishing a permanent station on the Wilson School property. The department served the agricultural communities surrounding Bodega Avenue.

Fort Ross Station 43 (Founded 1972) Established to provide emergency services along Sonoma County's remote northern coastline, Fort Ross volunteers developed specialized knowledge of the area's rugged terrain and limited access routes. The 1978 Creighton Ridge Fire highlighted the importance of local firefighting resources in this isolated region.

Together, these seven departments brought generations of experience, strong community relationships, and invaluable local knowledge to Gold Ridge Fire Protection District. Their contributions remain an important part of our District's history and identity.

 

2025 | Sebastopol and Monte Rio Join Gold Ridge

Continuing a Tradition of Partnership

In 2025, Gold Ridge Fire Protection District welcomed the Sebastopol Fire Department and Monte Rio Fire Protection District, bringing together three established fire service organizations under one regional district.

Sebastopol Station 83 (Founded 1902): For more than 120 years, the Sebastopol Fire Department proudly served the city as an entirely volunteer fire department, a notable tradition for a municipal fire agency. Generations of dedicated volunteers protected the city's residents, businesses, and surrounding community as Sebastopol grew from a small agricultural town into the vibrant city it is today. Its consolidation with Gold Ridge in 2025 brought together this remarkable legacy of volunteer service with the shared staffing, training, and resources of a larger regional fire district, strengthening fire and medical response to the District’s most populated community.

Monte Rio Station 54 (Founded 1920): With volunteer firefighting roots dating back to 1885, Monte Rio holds the distinction of being Sonoma County's oldest fire protection district. For generations, its firefighters served the Russian River communities and surrounding redwood forests, building a proud tradition of volunteer service and community involvement. Its consolidation with Gold Ridge in 2025 brought more than a century of history, experience, and local knowledge into the District's shared legacy.

The addition of Sebastopol and Monte Rio expanded Gold Ridge Fire Protection District to approximately 300 square miles, connecting communities across a diverse landscape of cities, rural neighborhoods, agricultural lands, redwood forests, and coastal areas.

While each of these departments has its own story, they share a common legacy of service, dedication, and community pride—a legacy that continues as part of Gold Ridge Fire Protection District.

 

Why Consolidation Matters

Building a Stronger Fire Service Together

Fire protection has changed significantly over the past several decades. Today's fire departments respond to a growing variety of emergencies while navigating increasing operational costs, evolving training requirements, and challenges in recruiting and retaining firefighters.

For smaller departments, meeting these demands independently can be difficult. Consolidation offers an opportunity for neighboring communities to share resources, improve coordination, and plan for the future together.

At Gold Ridge Fire Protection District, consolidation is about more than combining boundaries or fire stations. It is about building partnerships that strengthen emergency services while making responsible use of public resources.

Supporting Our Firefighters and Improving Coverage

Volunteer firefighters have been the foundation of fire protection throughout western Sonoma County for generations, and their contributions remain an important part of our history.

As communities have changed, so have the demands placed on volunteers. Longer commutes, changing work schedules, increased training requirements, and growing emergency call volumes have made it more challenging for traditional volunteer departments to maintain consistent staffing.

By bringing departments together, Gold Ridge can combine the experience and local knowledge of volunteers with the availability of career personnel, creating a more dependable and coordinated response system.

Gold Ridge also maintains a robust firefighter internship program that augments daily staffing while providing valuable hands-on experience and professional development. Interns have the opportunity to work alongside career firefighters gaining practical experience while contributing to the District's daily operations and emergency response capabilities.

Together, these programs strengthen our workforce, support the next generation of firefighters, and help ensure our communities receive consistent, professional emergency services.

Sharing Equipment and Resources

Fire engines, protective equipment, specialized apparatus, and station facilities represent significant investments of public funds.

Consolidation allows Gold Ridge to evaluate these resources across the entire District rather than within individual department boundaries.

This coordinated approach helps us:

• Position equipment and personnel where they are most needed.
• Share specialized apparatus and emergency response resources.
• Coordinate maintenance, equipment replacement, and long-term planning.
• Improve purchasing opportunities and pursue regional grant funding.
• Reduce unnecessary duplication while maintaining resources appropriate for each community's needs.

By planning and purchasing as one organization, we can make more efficient use of taxpayer dollars while continuing to invest in the equipment and services our communities depend upon.

Improving Coordination and Emergency Response

Emergencies do not stop at jurisdictional boundaries. Whether responding to a structure fire, medical emergency, traffic collision, or major wildfire, effective response depends on communication, training, and teamwork.

A unified district allows firefighters from different stations to operate under consistent procedures, participate in coordinated training, and work within a common command structure.

This strengthens day-to-day emergency response and provides a more coordinated foundation for responding to larger incidents throughout the region.

Planning for the Future

Consolidation also creates opportunities for long-term planning that can be difficult for smaller departments to accomplish independently.

By looking at the needs of the entire region, Gold Ridge can make informed decisions about staffing, facilities, apparatus, training, and future service demands.

Rather than addressing these challenges one community at a time, we can work together to develop solutions that benefit the District as a whole.

Stronger Together

Gold Ridge Fire Protection District is the result of generations of dedication, community involvement, and a willingness to work together for the greater good.

Every department and volunteer fire company that became part of Gold Ridge contributed something important: experience, traditions, relationships, and a commitment to serving its neighbors.

Consolidation does not diminish those individual histories. It builds upon them.

Today, our District continues that tradition of partnership by bringing people, equipment, and resources together to provide dependable, professional, and financially responsible fire protection and emergency services to all who live, work, visit, or travel through the communities we serve.