Chief’s Message

I want to welcome you to the web site of the Shaver Lake Volunteer Fire Department (SLVFD). We appreciate your taking the time to learn more about our department and our community. The goal of the website is to provide insight into our department and the services that we provide.

The Shaver Lake Volunteer Fire Department relies on the strength of 12 volunteer firefighters who serve a residential population of more than 2,000 full time residents, thousands of homeowners who use their vacation properties intermittently and tens of thousands of visitors who come to Shaver Lake every year. We operate 4 engines and two emergency response vehicles from two fire stations to provide emergency services to a geographical area of approximately 400 square miles.

Our firefighters, each of whom is a volunteer, are a mix of full time and part time residents of the Shaver Lake community. Our volunteers wear pagers and respond from their homes and places of work to emergency calls 24 hours of the day, 365 days a year. The members of our department respond to approximately 200 calls per year. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality services to those who live, work and visit our community.

Our volunteer firefighters respond to a wide variety of emergency calls. The types of calls to which our members regularly respond include:
• Medical emergencies;
• Structure fires;
• Wildland fires;
• Motor vehicle accidents including assisting victims of accidents through the use of extrication equipment and rescue procedures;
• Downed power lines;
• Providing mutual aid assistance to CalFire and nearby fire departments when called upon.
Our firefighters attend weekly training to assist them in responding to these emergencies. Our members also frequently receive advanced training in a wide number of subjects including motor vehicle extrication, structure fires and high and low angle rope rescue.

We are thankful for the tremendous support received from our community and especially the financial support that the department received after the Creek Fire in the fall of 2020. That financial support allowed us to repair and replace much of our older equipment to better help you and others should the need ever arise.

If you are a healthy adult who wants to give back to the community we want you to consider becoming a volunteer. No prior fire experience is required. The department accepts applications year-round for volunteer firefighters. Sadly, as neither of our stations have overnight accommodations, we can only accept volunteers who have a place to stay while in Shaver. If you want to learn more about what is involved in being a volunteer firefighter call our number to schedule a time to speak with one of our volunteers. Consider the commitment you would be making to yourself and the community, then take the time to complete the Application on this web site.

I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as your Fire Chief and lead these outstanding men and women serving you and your community.

Chief Steve McQuillan
January 2023