September 25, 2025 – The Penn Valley Fire Protection District (PVFPD) and Grass Valley Fire Department (GVFD) are proud to announce the signing of a cooperative agreement for reciprocal fire staffing and related services. This agreement allows both agencies to share personnel and equipment when needed, ensuring reliable fire and EMS service for residents across both districts. The initial agreement was signed June 10, 2025.
The partnership comes at a critical time for Penn Valley, providing staffing stability as the district continues to pursue consolidation with the Rough and Ready Fire District.
Even prior to the agreement’s formal signing, cooperation between Penn Valley and Grass Valley was already underway. When a Penn Valley fire engine was sidelined for unexpected repairs, Grass Valley quickly provided a reserve engine to maintain full coverage. This willingness to step in — and the trust shown by both departments — underscores a shared commitment to putting the community first.
Building on that foundation, Penn Valley’s Battalion Chief Clayton Thomas and Grass Valley Fire’s EMS Supervisor Dane Meredith developed a plan to integrate paramedics across both systems when staffing support is needed. Under this arrangement, Grass Valley paramedics can provide advanced life support (ALS) care while staffing in Penn Valley — including ambulance transport when necessary — and Penn Valley paramedics can step in to support Grass Valley when additional coverage is required.
Penn Valley currently operates a more advanced Paramedic program and this cooperation offers Grass Valley the opportunity to strengthen its own program and move it closer to its long-term goals. By working side-by-side, both agencies’ paramedics gain broader experience and the community benefits from expanded ALS coverage.
This collaboration was demonstrated just recently when Grass Valley Captain Dillon Coward, assigned to a Penn Valley station responded around 2:00 a.m. to a heart attack call as part of a Penn Valley Medic 59 ambulance crew. Working alongside his partner and with support from the Penn Valley engine company, advanced life support care was provided on scene and continued during transport to Rideout Hospital.
“This agreement is more than just the sharing of resources — it represents a commitment by both Penn Valley Fire and Grass Valley Fire to support one another and ensure the highest level of Fire and EMS service for the people we serve,” said Mark Buttron, Fire Chief of Grass Valley.
Penn Valley Fire Chief Don Wagner added: “Penn Valley is proud to extend our capabilities to help our partners in Grass Valley. In return, our district gains the benefit of their depth of staffing and resources. Together, we’re proving that collaboration is the best way to serve our communities.”
The cooperative agreement highlights the value of collaboration in strengthening fire protection and emergency medical response across Western Nevada County. Together, Penn Valley Fire and Grass Valley Fire are building a stronger, more resilient fire service that puts community needs first.