BROOKS, Calif. – In August the fire department of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation became the first Native American fire department to receive accreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI).

This accomplishment came after six years of rigorous development, self-assessment and peer evaluation of YDFD’s administration, training, operational skills, documentation, equipment and facilities. YDFD becomes one of only 147 of the estimated 33,000 career and volunteer fire departments in the U.S. to receive this accreditation.

YDFD covers Capay Valley and Yolo County with its full service fire protection, technical rescue, wilderness search and rescue, fire prevention, emergency preparedness and paramedic servies.

I am interested in a story more on the fire department itself and everything that they do that helped get them this honor. Because the announcement was more than a month ago it shouldn’t be the focus but an addition to the story. Story should be 700-800 words with photos (they may have some really good shots to submit w/captions and credits) with a deadline of Oct. 1.

If interested please e-mail me at kpolisse@indiancountry.com (subject line – Yocha Dehe Fire Dept. – Oct. 1)