We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pat Leach. She was a joy to know, a friend to all of us: upbeat, supportive, curious, creative, and kind. Pat brightened every room she entered. And as the Firewise Coordinator, she provided a critical service to the residents of Nevada County.
Pat joined the Fire Safe Council staff as Firewise Coordinator in the spring of 2021, after assisting with the formation of thirteen Firewise Communities on the San Juan Ridge. A resident of Nevada County since 1997, Pat and her husband, Steve, lived in the Salmon MineโEast Sages Firewise Community. She also served on the North San Juan Fire Protection District Board and on the Board of the Nevada County Fire Authority (JPA).
In her role with the Fire Safe Council, Pat helped neighborhoods become recognized Firewise Communities through the National Fire Protection Association. She helped residents understand the program, identify community boundaries, complete the necessary paperwork, clarify responsibilities, and, importantly, foster a spirit of teamwork. When Pat began with the Council, Nevada County had 22 Firewise Communities. Today there are over 130 โ a testament to her dedication, persistence, and love of community. Including her earlier work in North San Juan, Pat devoted nearly two decades to helping establish Firewise Communities in Nevada County.
In 2024, Supervisor Sue Hoek presented Pat with the Community Trailblazer Award during National Womenโs Month, honoring her as a leader who exemplified innovation and pioneering community spirit. When receiving the award, Pat said:
โI was unaware one could be recognized for following a passion that provides so much appreciation from neighbors, and camaraderie of the shared goal of wildfire resiliency. Our countyโs neighbors impress and energize me, and for that I am very grateful.โ
Tributes From the Fire Safe Council Staff and Board of Directors:
- Jamie Jones, Executive Director: โWorking with Pat has been the highlight of my career at Fire Safe. I have never met anyone more dedicated to serving her community or more relentless in advancing our mission and vision. Her energy, determination, and selflessness have left an indelible mark on me, and on this organization. I respect and admire her greatly.โ
- Pete Williams, Chairman of the Board of Directors: โPat was instrumental in growing the Firewise Community program. She made it happenโone community at a time. She was straightforward, personable, a good listener, and most importantly, she always followed through. I will miss her.โ
- Steve Eubanks, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors: โPat had so many positive attributes and impacts on the Firewise Community Program that I canโt list them all, but suffice it to say she played a major role in its success and growth.ย Her ability to communicate and maintain calm leadership during inevitable growing pains made her invaluable.ย Firewise Community contacts could always rely on her to answer questions and solve problems.ย Even in recent months, when she was so sick, she retained her sparkle and spunk as we discussed Fire Safe Council and Firewise Community ideas.ย She was a cornerstone of the FSC and will be sorely missed.โ
- Alan Doerr, Board Member and GIS Specialist:ย โIt was always a pleasure working with Pat, so helpful and thoughtful.ย She came up with suggestions for improvements to maps and analytics to assist Firewise Communities and fire districts.ย We will all miss her, and her traditional sign-off:ย Aloha,ย Pat.โย
- Sue Williams, Board Member and Treasurer: โI was impressed with her friendliness, knowledge, and โcan doโ attitude. Her dedication to Firewise Communities will be hard to replicate. She will be missed by all who knew her.ย Rest in peace, Pat.โ
Before moving to Nevada County, Pat lived on Oahu, Hawaii, where she raised her two daughters. There, her family business provided fire detection and suppression equipment to the military, merchant ships, government agencies, and business and residential units. She assisted Honoluluโs mayoral staff in updating fire codes. Pat also served as Deputy Director of an internationally focused strategic think tankโan endeavor she described as her most interesting while in the Islands.
๏ปฟPat Leach leaves behind a legacy of resilience, dedication, and love of community that will continue to inspire the Fire Safe Council and all who knew her. We will all miss her deeply.
From the staff, board of directors and volunteers of the FireSafe Council:
Jamie Jones, Executive Director
Board of Directors – Chairman – Pete Williams
Board of Directors – Vice Chairman- Steve Eubanks
Board of Directors – Treasurer – Sue Williams
Board of Directors – GIS Coordinator – Alan Doerr
Board of Directors – Member at Large – Jeff McEvoy