Lake Arrowhead Volunteer Fire Department Annual Santa Parade Begins a Busy Year

By Larry Gruszecki

To assist Santa in making prompt deliveries on Christmas day, residents joined the LAVFD in providing Santa and his trusted elf a tour through Lake Arrowhead on December 8, 2007. LA residents who own vintage cars and classic motorcycles led Santa and his elf seated on LAVFD Engine 27. Children and parents lined the Santa Parade route and the scheduled Santa Stops. After refreshing his memory of the Lake Arrowhead streets, Santa stopped at Station 27 to hear the requests of Lake Arrowhead children and enjoy the hospitality of the LAVFD.



 

Residents joining Santa at Station 27 also had an opportunity to view some of LAVFD’s equipment and Station 27’s facilities. Exemplified by Engine 27, the displayed firefighting equipment and building improvements were made possible due to the donations of LA residents. Visitors also noted that Station 27 is equipped to function as a community meeting facility, an emergency operations center, and a temporary shelter for residents who cannot access their homes in times of emergency.



The 2007 Santa Parade closes a busy year for the LAVFD. The LAVFD gained five new members. Of the new members, one has completed their Georgia Fire Academy training and is a state certified fire fighter. Two others will be attending certification training at the Fire Academy in February. Two other members are scheduled for First Responder medical training. In addition to gaining new members, the LAVFD also co-hosted the July 4 Bicycle Parade and Fall Firehouse Festival with the Lake Arrowhead Chapel.
 

The first LAVFD event for 2008 is extremely important for all Lake Arrowhead residents. The annual LAVFD meeting will be held in February. Residents will soon receive information by mail to select new LAVFD board members. LAVFD board tasks for the coming year include a reevaluation of Insurance Services Organization (ISO) requirements that set fire insurance rates for Lake Arrowhead. Additionally, the following LAVFD sponsored events during 2008 include a fishing tournament, golf tournament, 5K Run/Walk, Fall Firehouse Festival, the annual Santa Parade, and participation in the July 4th Bicycle Parade.
 

The LAVFD will celebrate its 25th year of service to the Lake Arrowhead community in February 2009. While LAVFD members have provided 23 years of personalized emergency care on land and water to residents, the department has also reduced fire insurance rates. Before 1995, Lake Arrowhead homeowners realized an approximate savings of $300 per $100,000 of house value due to the LAVFD’s service. The savings in fire insurance rates continues.
 

The Lake Arrowhead Volunteer Fire Department welcomes residents who desire to join a tradition of service to our community. The LAVFD trains on Thursday nights at Station 27. LAVFD board meetings on the second Monday of each month are always open to residents.