History
The American Canyon Fire Protection District (“District”) was founded in 1957. When the City of American Canyon incorporated in 1992, the District was maintained as a subsidiary special district to the City of American Canyon.
On August 4, 1955, citizens of the “Napa Junction” area voted to permanently establish the American Canyon Fire Protection District. Following this vote, the District became fully funded, governed by its own elected Board, and fully operational. At its inception, the District consisted of two (2) paid staff members, thirty (30) volunteers, and three (3) elected Board Members. The District’s first fire engine was acquired through a five-year lease agreement.
On November 6, 1957, the State of California formally recognized the American Canyon Fire Protection District as a legal entity authorized to exercise all powers, rights, and privileges under the Local Fire District Law. Throughout the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s—and into the 21st century—the District continued to expand paid staffing in response to community growth.
Originally, the District held an Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of Class 5. (ISO rates fire departments in California on a scale from Class 1, the highest level of fire protection, to Class 10, the lowest; insurance premiums are based in part on these ratings.) During this period, the District was governed by an independent, three-member Board of Directors elected at large. When the City of American Canyon incorporated in 1992, the District remained a subsidiary special district.
In the 1980s, the District experienced financial challenges following the passage of Proposition 13, which significantly reduced property tax revenues. In response, voters approved a Fire Service Fee by the required two-thirds majority, helping to offset lost revenue. The District also secured voter approval for a one-time tax on new construction, known as the Fire Mitigation Fee. Revenue from the Fire Mitigation Fee is restricted to the construction of new facilities and the purchase of major fire apparatus and equipment.