Chief Araiza told the audience, “Van Sciver lives near the Oaks Mobile Home Park and was first on scene of a fire in a mobile home. He pounded on the door yelling “fire, fire, and helped rally neighbors to assist. Due to his quick action, he was able to assist the resident in getting out of her home, saved her kitten and prevented further fire damage to adjacent units. Lucky for the fire department, Andy is now one of our Reserve Fire Fighters.”Van Sciver said he found “it a cool thing as I walked away from the fire” to think about his own involvement as a member of the Citizens Corps Council, which targets disaster preparedness and emergency training in Santa Paula and the importance of knowing what resources neighborhoods can rely upon.“It was a reminder to be prepared; having the neighbors around, assisting in the fire acted as a reminder of that... we always rely on the fire department, but it was cool the way it handled by the community before they arrived on scene.”
|
(Photo above left) Santa Paula resident Andy Van Sciver (right) received the 2008 Good Samaritan Award from Chief Araiza (left) and Kiwanis Lt. Governor Fred Robinson. (Photo above right) Fire Chief Rick Araiza (left) joined Ventura Kiwanis Vice President Matt Kohagen in honoring Matt Klein (right) as Santa Paula’s Firefighter of the Year. |
Santa Paula Firefighters Matt Klein and Andy Van Sciver honored by Kiwanis Clubs
September 24, 2008
Santa Paula News
Santa Paula Firefighters Matt Klein and Andy Van Sciver were honored by the Kiwanis Clubs of Ventura County for bravery and dedication to their work at the 6th annual Celebration in Ventura on Friday, September 12.
Fire Chief Rick Araiza joined Ventura Kiwanis Vice President Matt Kohagen in honoring Matt Klein as Santa Paula’s Firefighter of the Year. Chief Araiza told the audience of approximately 200 attendees, “Matt is an absolute pleasure to have with us. He always has a smile, he takes direction well, he always shows up and always volunteers to fill in where needed.He has exceeded the required number of shifts by double.” Chief Araiza reported that the selection process in Santa Paula is peer driven. The Department nominates someone and the firefighter with the most votes wins the nomination. He received the honor from the Santa Paula Fire Firefighters Association annual dinner on December 1, 2007.Matt lives in Sherman Oaks with his parents. He has dreamed a long time about being a full time firefighter. He volunteers for as an Explorer for LA City Fire Department at Post 100.Matt has been associated with the Fire Service for almost nine years and received his AA degree in Fire Science from Valley College in 2003. Matt is waiting for a fulltime opening in the department. Chief Rick Araiza stated, “Matt is one of the most unselfish firefighters I have met and he is totally devoted to the Department. He will fill in extra shifts so that the City is never without coverage. Matt would live at the station if we let him.”Santa Paula resident Andy Van Sciver received the 2008 Good Samaritan Award from Chief Araiza and Kiwanis Lt. Governor Fred Robinson.
