Ojai Firefighters Going Green
By Logan Hall
Ojai Fire Station 21 is setting an example for the community. The Ventura County Fire Department crew at 21 has steadily been transforming the station into a “green” facility by installing specialized equipment, like solar panels, new energy-efficient lighting and, most recently, by revamping the station’s landscaping that will include plants which need little or no watering.
The transformation hasn’t happened overnight though.
“We’ve been working at the landscaping for about a year,” said VCFD Station 21 Capt. John McNeil at a special barbecue celebrating the unveiling of the station’s new front yard. “It’s been a really great project.”
McNeil says that he and his crew could not have accomplished their goals without help from the community. “We owe so much to Jessica,” he said referring to Jessica Thompson, owner of Green Goddess Gardens landscaping. “She really spent a lot of time helping us and she never asked for anything in return.”
According to McNeil, Thompson had driven by the station last year and had seen firefighters working in the yard out front when she stopped and asked if they needed a hand. Thompson and the crew at 21 quickly developed a chemistry that helped set in motion a new design and look for the station.
“I had been looking for a good project that would help me give back to the community,” said Thompson. “When I drove by the station, I just thought it was a perfect place to start. I’m really glad these guys wanted to work with me.”
Thompson says she wanted to use vegetation that would thrive in Ojai’s arid climate, but that would also look good year-round. “If we used strictly native plants,” she said, “the garden would look like our hillsides. Instead I brought in mostly Mediterranean plants that will do well here. They really look great too.”
The VCFD’s Deputy Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen was on hand at Wednesday’s barbecue and gave his thoughts on the project. “I didn’t even know this was going on here,” he told those who had gathered. “I really want to thank these guys for going above and beyond the status quo. This is a really great thing they’re doing.”
whynot:
Perhaps you may be right – yet when one needs them for an emergency, be it medical, fire, saving a life or other…___They are paid (by taxes) for a reason, to be there for the public. Same goes for the Police. At least they are staying busy doing something, right?
But that 1% can be quite a doozy (I am sure it is much more than 1% as well)! I am grateful that our firefighters are well-trained, dedicated, ready and willing to respond 24/7 . Perhaps whynot was not in Ojai for any of our major fires. They do a tremendous and hazardous job – I am also grateful that they are NOT on active fire duty more frequently!!!!
Becky
One thing is for certain, fireman/women have plenty of paid leisure time. I think somewhere in the vicinity of less than 1% of their paid time are they actually on some sort fire duty, or responding to calls.
Condor,
The community demonstration garden has allot of the plants that can be use here. Also what is good about it is you can see the plant in person and the decide which one’s you may like.
Also there is the Austrailian Native nursery in Casitas Springs.
Nice!!!
Good to see positives in our community!
I demand that it happen overnight.
Perhaps Jessica could add a list of her suggested plants here, so all of us can be better informed. That being said: Thank you Jessica, firefighters and everyone involved for the landscaping and all that you do.