Press Release
Posted:
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) announced his recipients for the Fifth Congressional District Public Safety Hero Award. This award is given to exceptional law enforcement officers and first responders in our community who perform above and beyond the call of duty. After careful consideration, Rep. Thompson selected the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, Santa Rosa Fire Department, Santa Rosa Police Department, Cotati Police Department, Kenwood Fire Protection District, Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue, Rincon Valley Fire District, Mayacamas Volunteer Fire Station, and Schell Vista Fire Department for their extraordinary work within Sonoma County.
“This past year has been a busy, challenging time for law enforcement and first responders in our community. From the continued threat of gun violence to the devastating fires of October, these men and women have tirelessly dedicated themselves to keeping us safe,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “That’s why I am honored to present my annual “Public Safety Hero of the Year” awards to the courageous public servants across our district. To each and every one of you, I offer my heartfelt thanks. I’m incredibly proud to represent such brave, dedicated men and women.”
Traditionally, Rep. Mike Thompson honors one law enforcement officer and one first responder from each county as a Public Safety Hero. However, this year, Rep. Thompson chose to honor every Sonoma County law enforcement department and fire department in his district given their extraordinary response to the devastating October wildfires that ripped through the Fifth Congressional District. As a result of these fires, nearly 250,000 acres were burned, destroying 8,400 structures and taking the lives of 44 people. At the height of the fire activity, there were 11,000 firefighters battling these flames throughout our state with some of the first on the scene in Napa and Sonoma working 90 straight hours while additional resources arrived. And our local law enforcement officers were responsible for the evacuation and safety of more than 100,000 people.
“Our Sonoma County law enforcement officers, fire fighters and first responders are true heroes,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “They performed truly herculean efforts responding to the devastating October fires. Every constituent I visit with has their own personal story of heroism from their local law enforcement, fire departments and first responders. Each of these local heroes deserve and will forever receive our deepest gratitude for their tremendous service in protecting our homes, businesses and community. We cannot say thank you enough.”
The full list of the Public Safety Heroes of the Year for the 5th Congressional District is below:
- Officer Craig Long and Officer Aldo Serrano, Vallejo Police Department
- Captain Eric Strom, Vallejo Fire Department
- Robert J. Fenton, Jr., Regional Administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX
- Mark Ghilarducci, Director of Cal Office Emergency Services
- Shana Jones, CAL FIRE Unit Chief for Napa-Sonoma-Lake-Mendocino
- Officer Chad R. Tardiff, California Highway Patrol
- Detective Zachary R. Blume, Pinole Police Department
- Undersheriff Chris Macedo, Lake County Sheriff's Office
- Mike Ciancio, Northshore Fire Protection District
- Jodi Traversaro, Cal Office Emergency Services Regional Administrator
- Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office
- Santa Rosa Fire Department
- Santa Rosa Police Department
- Cotati Police Department
- Kenwood Fire Protection District
- Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue
- Rincon Valley Fire District
- Mayacamas Volunteer Fire Station
- Schell Vista Fire Department
- Rohnert Park’s Department of Public Safety
- Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department
- City of Calistoga Fire Department
- City of St. Helena Fire Department
- Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann
- Napa County Fire Department
- City of Napa Fire Department
- American Canyon Fire Protection District
- City of Calistoga Police Department
- City of St. Helena Police Department
- City of Napa Police Department
- City of American Canyon Police Department
- Napa County Sheriff John Robertson
- Napa County Sheriff’s Office
