Early yesterday morning, one of our firefighters was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle while providing care at a traffic collision on westbound State Route 118 near Tapo Canyon Road in Simi Valley. The firefighter received immediate care and was transported to a local trauma center. On the evening of September 28, the firefighter was transferred by VCFD personnel to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for continued specialized care and remains in stable condition. The firefighter’s family and the Ventura County Fire Department appreciate the community’s support and ask that the public respect their privacy during this time. The California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. @CountyVentura @CHPMoorpark @VCPFA

VCFD Fighters honored at IAFF Fallen Firefighters Memorial This past Saturday, Engineer Tommy Minadeo and Fire Captain Jeff Mauer were honored at the annual International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Colorado Springs. Engineer Minadeo and Captain Mauer’s names were added to the memorial wall, honoring firefighters from across the country who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Family members of Engineer Minadeo and Captain Mauer were accompanied by Fire Chief Dustin Gardner and other Chief Officers, leadership of the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association, and the VCFD Honor Guard, who also participated in this annual ceremony. We thank the IAFF for their support and camaraderie in remembering the sacrifice of Engineer Minadeo and Captain Mauer. #firefighter #firstresponder #iaff #fallenfirefighter #venturacounty

Firefighters Rescue Kitten Trapped in an Entertainment Center 🚒
 Ventura County Fire Department responded to a report of an animal in distress and discovered a kitten trapped inside an entertainment center.
 Suki had only been with her new family a few weeks when she crawled partway into an opening in the cabinet and couldn’t back out.
 Firefighters from Engine 50 in Camarillo removed the A/V equipment from the cabinet, gently lowered it into a more workable position, and carefully freed her. Suki showed no signs of injury and was returned to her relieved family.
 Her owner tells us this same video of the rescue was posted to TikTok this week, drawing more than 7 million views.

Thank you @eringarciaphotos for or sharing this story with us, and for supporting VCFD and showcasing their commitment to our community. #catrescue #animalrescue #firefighter #camarillo

VCFD Honors 25th Anniversary of 9/11 This morning, your VCFD firefighters along with Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Supervisor Kelly Long, County CEO Dr. Sevet Johnson, and members of our staff and the public gathered at VCFD Headquarters in Thousand Oaks to pay tribute to the lives lost on September 11, 2001. In addition to observing a moment of silence and lowering the flag to half-mast, the names of all 343 firefighters who perished that day were read aloud to honor their sacrifice. Each year, at every VCFD station across the county, firefighters and community members gather to mark this solemn moment in our history. Thank you to all of the community members who joined us to commemorate this occasion. Never forget. #firefighter #september11 #343 #neverforget

Copter 4 flyover of Dodger Stadium with LAFD Air Ops for First Responder Night VC Air Unit Copter 4 joined LAFD's Air Operations for a flyover of Dodger Stadium yesterday - in recognition of the L.A. Dodgers First Responder Night. Thank you @LAFDAirOps for your partnership during emergency incidents and special events. Special thank you to the Los Angeles Dodgers for your unwavering support of first responders across Southern California. #VCFD #LAFD #Dodgers #Helicopter #FirstResponders #Firefighters

The Sandy Fire struck the community of Simi Valley beginning on May 18th. Ultimately, the fire burned 2,183 acres destroying one home and causing over 43,000 evacuations. The Ventura County Fire Department along with over 1,000 firefighters from across California responded to this incident - protecting our community through aggressive firefighting, a coordinate rapid response from regional partners, integrated technology solutions, and community wildfire preparedness. @disasterproof and @repwhitesides produced a short documentary describing how this combination of regional partnerships, strong community support, strict defensible space guidelines, and integrated technology solutions were pivotal in fighting The Sandy Fire and how Ventura County Fire Department and the residents of Simi Valley are a model for what’s possible when preparation and rapid response come together. We encourage you to watch the entire video on their YouTube channel at: piped.video/@disasterproofHQ or via the link tree in our bio. #firefighter #sandyfire #brushfire #wildfireresilence #community

Happy 250th Birthday, America! 🇺🇸 From participating in parades, to remote rescues and other emergency calls - your VCFD firefighters are honored to serve our community and celebrate this special day in our nation’s history. Stay safe, and happy 4th of July. Pictures & Video: 📍Dozer 14’s crew painted their blade in honor of our 250th anniversary- and participated in the 4th of July Parade in Ojai. 📍Engine 20 and Copter 9 responded to a remote rescue near the punchbowls in Santa Paula. One patient was airlifted from the area, and transferred to a ground ambulance with minor injuries. #firefighter #dozer #ojai #firstresponders #parade

This 4th of July, VCFD is teaming up with Ventura County Sheriff to remind everyone that no matter how we say it, the message is the same: “leave fireworks to the professionals”. Celebrate responsibly! Keep your family, neighbors and our community safe by enjoying one of the many fireworks shows throughout Ventura County.

Great to see so many cyclists of all ages learning about bike safety at @vcd2sup’s bike rodeo event. We’re sharing tips on battery safety for e-bikes and how to stay visible no matter what you ride. #bikesafety

VCFD is proud to support Supervisor Jeff Gorell’s Bike Rodeo and E-Bike Safety event tomorrow from 10am - 1pm. Come join VCFD and other community partners as we give hand-on safety tips on bicycle and E-bike safety, and much more. The Bike Rodeo will be held at Redwood Middle School - 233 West Gainsborough Road in Thousand Oaks. We hope to see you there!

Today has been designated a permitted agricultural burn day by the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District (VCAPCD). Agricultural burning is used to dispose of plant waste from farming operations and is allowed only in agricultural areas with a valid burn permit.   The Fire Department is aware of these permitted burns and is monitoring conditions. On burn days, VCFD personnel coordinate with VCAPCD to help ensure fire safety and compliance with air quality rules (VCAPCD Rule 56, Open Burning).   Please note: • Only agricultural operations with approved permits may burn. • Permits are issued by the local VCFD station and require pre-approval and safety checks before burning may begin. • Smoke may be visible throughout portions of the county during permitted burn hours.   If you see smoke and are unsure of its source or have any concerns, please call 9-1-1 so we can respond safely.   More agricultural burn information: Ventura County APCD – vcapcd.org/agricultural-burn…

VCFD teamed up with the City of Thousand Oaks to provide you important information about sandbags. Make sure you’re prepared! Visit our website at VCFD.org/sandbags for a list of stations that have sand and bags available. Thank you to the City of Thousand Oaks for partnering with VCFD to create and share this important information.

Today, Santa Claus and his trusty helpers made a vertical entrance at Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC), rappelling down the side of the hospital to visit the pediatric unit. Joined by Ventura County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams, Santa brought smiles, cheer, and special gifts to some of the smallest — and most courageous — patients in the hospital. Firefighters from Oxnard Fire, Ventura City Fire, and Ventura County Fire all came together to help Santa safely deliver presents and holiday joy to children and families spending the season in the hospital. For a few moments the challenges of the day were replaced with laughter, wonder, and a little holiday magic. We’re proud to support our community beyond emergency response — especially when it means lifting spirits and reminding families they are not alone this holiday season. County of Ventura - Government Ventura County Health Care Agency. @CountyVentura @OxnardFire @VenturaCityFD @VCHCA

Join us at 6:59 a.m. at any VCFD fire station, headquarters, or dispatch for a moment of remembrance — honoring the lives lost and the courage of those who responded. #NeverForget #VCFD

This week, VCFD Public Information Officer Andy VanSciver joined CAL FIRE Communications Director Nick Schuler at the National Information Officers Association Conference in Florida to share California’s approach to wildfire communications. Together, they highlighted lessons from recent large-scale incidents—including the Palisades, Eaton, and Maui wildfires—and how public information efforts are evolving with new technology, stronger media partnerships, and face-to-face community engagement. Our partnership with CAL FIRE remains vital—not just for Ventura County, but for communities across California and beyond—ensuring people get the right information, at the right time, when it matters most. #VCFD #venturacountyfire #CALFIRE #firefighter #pio #NIOA

VCFD firefighters rescue dog trapped under a shipping container in Ojai. At approximately 7:45pm, VCFD dispatchers received a call for an animal in distress after a dog (Finn) had crawled under a shipping container. Firefighters from Engine 22 and Medic Rescue Engine 23 were dispatched and used specialty rescue tools, including holmatro heavy lifting bags, to extricate the trapped dog. Thankfully, Finn was unharmed and firefighters were able to safely get him back to his owners. Your VCFD firefighters are proud to serve the dynamic needs of our community. #VCFD #venturacountyfire #firefighter #holmatro #dogrescue #animalrescue #ojai #meinersoaks

VCFD Medic Engine 53 responding with the US Coast Guard to a medical emergency off the Ventura coastline. VCFD Firefighter Paramedic Ricardo Alvarez joined the crew of the USCG Air Station Ventura aboard their MH-60 Jayhawk yesterday, responding to a distress call for a medical emergency aboard a vessel located approximately 70 miles of the Ventura Coast. FF/PM Alvarez provided assessment and medical care of the patient who was transported by the USCG to an area hospital. Our partnership in support of the US Coast Guard is another example of the dynamic ways your VCFD firefighters serve our community. #VCFD #venturacountyfire #USCG #venturacounty #ems #paramedic #flightmedic #helicopter

VCFD Firefighter / Paramedic Edward Campana was recognized with the 40 under 40 award by the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce yesterday. FF/PM Campana is the program manager of VCFD’s whole blood transfusion program, and was the driving force in bringing this life-saving treatment to Ventura County. VCFD’s firefighters administered the first field blood transfusion by Paramedics in California just a few days after the program began. Since then, a total of 15 transfusions have been administered - all of which resulted in significant improvements in patient’s condition. “This award is a huge honor, both for me and for our department”, said Campana. “I am grateful for the support from our Medical Director, Fire Chief and Executive Staff, EMS Division, Ventura County EMS Agency and all of our partners that made this program a success.” Thank you Firefighter / Paramedic Campana for your commitment to innovation in meeting our community’s public safety needs. Pictured: Division Chief Nick Cleary FF/PM Edward Campana Dr Neil Canby, VCFD Medical Director Battalion Chief Robert Welsbie #VCFD #venturacountyfire #venturacounty #thousandoaks #conejovalley #chamberofcommerce #firefighter #emt #paramedic #ems #bloodtransfusion

VCFD will be joining Supervisor Janice Parvin at these upcoming events. Hope to see you there. @vcjaniceparvin

VCFD placed a new rescue ambulance into service today at Fire Station 42 in Moorpark, enhancing the city’s emergency medical response and adding capacity during high-demand incidents. The new unit, designated Rescue Ambulance 42 (RA42), increases the number of medical transport resources available in the region and brings two additional firefighter-paramedics to the city each day. These added personnel will help deliver faster, more flexible service to residents during life-threatening emergencies. RA42 is fully equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, including whole blood for emergency transfusions, the LUCAS mechanical CPR device, and advanced Stryker gurneys—tools that support paramedics in delivering critical, pre-hospital care in the field. “Every second counts during a medical emergency,” said Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner. “This new rescue ambulance in Moorpark gives our firefighter-paramedics another tool to quickly begin advanced care and transport patients to the hospital without delay—especially during times of high system demand.” @CountyVentura @CityofMoorpark