Bennett Valley Fire District

The Bennett Valley Fire District (BVFD) provides fire protection, emergency medical services and hazard mitigation to the unincorporated area of southeast Santa Rosa outside of the city limits in Bennett Valley, California. The district encompasses approximately 25 square miles (65 km²) and 1200 homes. Additionally, The BVFD responds to Annadel State Park for fire and medical emergencies. Bennett Valley Fire has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Gold Ridge Fire Protection District (a separate special district also located in Sonoma County, California) which allows for sharing of overhead and staff. Bennett Valley Fire Protection District works in close coordination with its surrounding fire districts/departments and provides mutual aid for multiple alarm incidents, cover assignments, and various emergencies.

The BVFD was formed in 1948 as an all volunteer fire department. The fire station was nothing more than a shed near the corner of Sonoma Mountain Road and Bennett Valley Road. In the 1960s a new station was constructed at the current location on Bennett Valley Road by volunteers. In 2002, residents voted to approve a parcel tax that would pay for career firefighters. This transitioned the department from all volunteer to a mix of volunteer and paid staff. The department now has a paid lieutenant and Engineer on duty 24 hours per day. Additionally a firefighter is on duty from 8am-5pm daily. From 5pm to 8am two trained volunteers staff the station, sleeping there over night.