Founded in 1948, the Cazadero Fire Department began as a volunteer force organized by neighbors to protect a remote redwood community where outside help could be hours away. Early crews built a culture of self-reliance—training together, raising funds for equipment, and answering calls for structure fires, wildland incidents, and flood emergencies along Austin Creek. When the Cazadero Community Services District was formed in 1963, the department became one of its core services, gaining a stable local framework for governance and funding while keeping its volunteer heart. Over the decades, Cazadero’s firefighters have modernized training and gear, strengthened mutual-aid ties across Sonoma County, and continued the same mission that started in 1948: neighbors protecting neighbors.
Our Fire Chiefs
Steven Krausmann
Fire Chief 1999-Present
Fred Luna
Fire Chief 1988-1989
Larry Kaher
Fire Chief 1983-1988
James R. Bohan
Fire Chief 1966-1983
Claude Potter
Fire Chief 1964-1965
John Neilson
Fire Chief 1960-1964
Theseus Canelis
Fire Chief 1952-1960
Steve Mache
Fire Chief 1950-1951
John L. ‘Jack’ Barry
Fire Chief 1948-1950
Volunteers From 1995
1995 Volunteer Firefighters
1 thru 14 L-R standing
Matt Glutch
Tim Trail
Bud Baswell
Donny Grider
Mike McLaughlin
Bill Tourady
Kenyon Bowers
J.C.DeCarly
Alan Dewart
Gary Hair
Joe Tomlin
Joe Tamagni
Dean Petropolis
Joe Schiavone
Kneeling. L-R 15-18
Gary Tourady
Steve Krausmann
Fred Luna
David Diggs
Not pictured
Don Berry
