Gail D. Cox Community Center at
BIG FALLS LODGE

Frozen Green Thumb
Garden Club
It takes a hearty soul to be a mountain gardener, but our intrepid garden club members tease the best from our rocky soils and make our canyon bloom. They also share their earth-tending secrets with their members and interested gardeners. Whether it's spring planting, summer tending, autumn harvest, or decorating our carved bear at the post office in holiday finery in December, the garden club always has fun and something wonderful to show for it.

We can’t say enough about our own volunteer fire department, Station 99. As a remote community, our firefighters are the first line of defense against natural and personal disasters. If you dial 911, it’s likely that the first person to show up will be a firefighter who is also your neighbor. Since our firefighters are typically first on scene at an incident, they often assume command for multi-agency responses. Mill Creek Canyon is a disaster-prone area and this incredible team of men and women are well trained in all forms of disaster response, whether it's clearing mudslides, swift water rescues, snow emergencies, medical response, traffic accidents, or fighting fires, they keep us safe. Our team meets weekly to hone their skills and they inspire the next generation by sponsoring Fire Explorer Post 128, a program for educating our youth in these valuable abilities.
Thank you to the Forest Falls Firefighters Association!
FFFA is an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable not-for-profit association
EIN #33-0693990.
40847 Valley of the Falls Dr.,
Forest Falls, CA 92339
909-794-4413

The relative isolation of our communities makes it critical that residents learn how to take care of themselves and their neighbors in an emergency when first responders may not be able to reach us. The Mill Creek Canyon Community Emergency Response Team trains residents on disaster preparedness, such as Home Evacuation Plans, Shelter-in-Place kits, and Response backpacks. The training includes hands-on Fire Suppression knowledge with fire extinguisher practice. The 21-hour training covers basic disaster medical and triage strategies as well as disaster psychology and light search and rescue techniques.
Graduates from the basic training can opt to register with the state as Disaster Service Workers (DSWs) and be available to assist first responders in disasters when activated by official authorities. Team members maintain local disaster supply bins, Emergency Alert Communications equipment and distribute informational literature on public safety, fire resistance strategies, and disaster preparedness awareness.
C.E.R.T. training is held periodically throughout the year. If you are a resident, please consider registering. In the event of an emergency, you'll be glad you did.
Paul Tetreault – Volunteer Coordinator,
909-794-0077 CERT@forestfalls.com
Tom McIntosh – SBCounty Fire Captain,
Station 99
Thom Wellman – SBCounty Fire retired, Primary Instructor, thom@forestfalls.com
Mountain C.A.R.E is a non-profit community-based organization located in Forest Falls California and serves the communities of Angelus Oaks, Mountain Home Village, and Forest Falls. Originated by a group of volunteers that came together in early 1990 to arrange an Earth Day activity. The organization’s articles state that its purpose is “to educate the general public about environmental concerns and the need to restore and preserve the environment for future generations."
Mountain C.A.R.E. initiatives include the annual Canyon Clean-Up day, web cameras as a community safety service with road and weather conditions for those driving in and through our communities and publication of the quarterly community newspaper The Bear Facts, delivered in hard copy to residents. To view past issues online, click on The Bear Facts logo below.