Madera County does not operate a whole owned Fire Department. Fire protection is provided through CDF, US Forest Service and Volunteers. During major events mutual aid agreements provide additional assistance.

Fire response system
When you call 911 you reach the Madera County Sheriffs Office. They forward fire and ambulance calls to Mariposa Dispatch center. A Fire call in Bass Lake will assessed and personal will be dispatched from the Bass Lake CDF station and the Volunteers will be summoned. Additional resources may also be requested from North Fork, Cedar Valley and Oakhurst. During the Summer season, CDF may also dispatch airborne resources and brush crews for significant events.

Our community at crises
The paid staff and volunteers should provide a strong "first in" team to effectively save life and property. Time is one of the most important issues and no fire waits to be put out. Four Firefighters are required to enter burning building. They may enter with less to save a life at a significantly higher risk to themselves. Sound good, but in Bass Lake we lack enough volunteer firefighters. Due to attrition, expanded training requirements and our community demographics we only have 6 Firefighters. Of these Six, Five work in Fresno, Three can drive the Fire Engine, One can drive the Squad.  Odds are that only One Firefighter (CDF) will arrive. Additional help from other neighboring stations will take 15-20 minutes. There is a saying, "we saved the foundation". That is the result of a late or poor fire fighting response.

Our options
Do Nothing. Let it Burn!
Encourage the County to fund more 24/7 firefighters as long as the volunteers are short staffed.
Arrange for a special property tax assessment.
Pay for additional staff from community fund raising.

Out Of Time
This issue was discovered in September. The County budget is already set for this season and part of next season. The Bass Lake Homeowners Association has requested emergency funding for 2 Firefighter positions which would bring our 24/7 staff to Three. This process may not bring an answer until January 2006. If the community chooses to fund additional firefighter through a special parcel property tax, the process may take a year. A special parcel tax may be cost about $100.

Cost
The Cost to pay two positions for the 7 month winter season is $122,268

Action
The community can not wait for the Supervisors decision to fund these positions. We need to start a fund raising campaign as soon as possible. At the same time we need the community to step up and lobby the Supervisors for funding.

Take action personally to protect your home.
Our unique neighborhoods provide poor protection against spreading fire. Wood sided homes, an abundance of trees and
brush lower your chances of saving a spreading fire from ravaging your home. Only you can help to provide a defensible space around your home. Add smoke alarms to protect your family and provide you an early warning, a chance to extinguish the fire. Buy several fire extinguishers and know how to use them. Parking may be tight but do not block your neighborhood fire hydrant. Leave written fire fighting information for your guest if you rent your home. Call them to be sure they have read your information.