GCZAXW Engine Company 1 (Traditional Cache) in California, United States created by Roamingbull

This cache has been archived.

Krypton: As there's been no cache to find for months, I'm archiving it to keep it from continually showing up in search lists, and to prevent it from blocking other cache placements. If you wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the future, just contact us (by email), and assuming it meets the guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it.

Thanks for your cooperation!
Krypton
Northern California Groundspeak Volunteer Cache Reviewer

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GCZAXW ▼

A cache by Roamingbull Message this owner

Hidden : 11/11/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

Cache is NOT ON THE BUILDING. Please DO NOT park in front of or anywhere on the fire department pad/driveway. Curb side parking is available along the road, or in the back of Minnie Cannon Park off of Butler Street.

This location is a pocket for bad GPS reception. Accuracy may be off depending on your unit and the time of day. So use your Geo Sense and you should be successful.

The Grass Valley Fire Department was first organized in 1853 with the establishment of the Grass Valley Hook and Ladder Company. It is the third oldest active fire department West of the Mississippi River. In 1855 the city passed an ordinance proclaiming that every property owner shall provide 50 gallons of water and four buckets for each floor level they owned. This Ordinance was not too successful as the town of Grass Valley was destroyed by fire in 1855.

The department was formed as a total volunteer organization and at its height had four fire companies and 100 volunteer firefighters. Today the Grass Valley Fire Department has 15 career personnel, and 20 paid-call firefighters and is celebrating its 151 year birthday. The Fire Department covers an area of 5 square miles and protects a population of 12,000 which is increased on any given weekend day by 2,000 – 5,000 tourists. The department responds to 2,300+ incidents a year with 75% of the calls for service being emergency medical responses.

Grass Valley Fire Department operates 2 Type 1 Engines, 1 Type l/3, an air/light support unit, an OES fire engine, a 75’ aerial and maintains a 1926 Seagrave antique fire engine. The ladder truck is a 1980 American LaFrance Water Chief Quint. The truck has a 75’ aerial ladder with a 1000 gpm monitor and the "Wayne Spud" discharge port at the tip. This discharge was developed by retired Grass Valley Fire Chief Wayne Smith to extend working hose lines in elevated operations. The "Wayne Spud" was included as standard equipment on all water chief quints in the following years. Grass Valley Fire Department’s ladder truck carries a crew of five firefighters. This is currently the only ladder truck in Nevada County and responds to many mutual aid requests.

Since 1997 the Department also has sponsored an Explorer Post 1300 for youth who wish to be part of a fire department. They are taught the basic skills of fire fighting and receive basic medical training. They perform a "ride-along" with the on duty staff where they participate in all daily functions of the fire department, including responding to incidents. The Explorers also participate in all extra curricular events associated with Grass Valley Fire Department. At the age of 18 the Explorers can attend the Nevada County Regional Fire Academy where they receive additional training. After graduation they are qualified to become a paid-call firefighter with any Nevada County fire department. Explorer Post 1300 has been participating in a patch trade program for several years and now has enough patches to build an impressive patch board. The Explorers are responsible for the receiving and shipping of patches from all around the United States.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Zbfg Ynaqybeqf jbhyq nterr gb n pbhcyr bs gur nggevohgrf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)