About Us

The Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department was founded in 1918 and originally located in a small barn at the back of the Rutherford Grange Hall. The current location of Station 15 on Highway 29 in Rutherford was established in 1955 as a single bay and then enlarged to two and then three bays in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Since its inception, the Department has served the community under the leadership of several volunteer chiefs, including Louis (Botch) Tonella in the 1950’s, Ed Chaix (46 years as Chief), Ron Wicker, Davie Piña and current Volunteer Chief Mike Morisoli who joined the department in 1998. Dozens of Captains, including current officers Bret Skillings, Christopher Morisoli and Mike Carlson have served, along with hundreds of firefighters.

 

In 1973, the Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department became part of the Napa County Fire Department (“NCFD”) through a cooperative agreement with Cal Fire. In 2006, a second station (NCFD Station 215) was erected at 8140 Silverado Trail with a generous land donation from the Beckstoffer and Brown families. Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation and continues to provide a support to the volunteer firefighters of Rutherford and a fundraising arm for the stations and annual budget. 

 

Currently, the two stations consist of 24 personnel, a type-1 structure engine, a type-2 wildland engine, one light-duty rescue and a 3,000-gallon water tender. 

 

The Department averages over 500 calls per year, with the majority of these calls being medical aids. 

 

As an integral part of the cooperative fire protection plan for NCFD, the Station responds to fires, medical calls, motor vehicle accidents, rescues, and other requests for emergency assistance in the surrounding unincorporated Napa County as well as the communities of Yountville, St. Helena, Calistoga, Lake Berryessa, and the City of Napa. During the traditional fire season, the Station is frequently called upon to respond to wildland fires in various regions of California through the Office of Emergency Services mutual aid system.

 

The station facilities are maintained by Station personnel through the donations and generosity of our community members.