The History of Knights Valley Fire Company

In 2019, the Knights Valley Fire Company officially became part of the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District through annexation. However, its legacy dates back to 1964, when it was founded in response to the devastating Hanley Fire—an event that followed a similar path to the 2017 Tubbs Fire.

The Knights Valley Volunteer Fire Company was initially led by a seven-member fire board, including Frank Strabel, Veronica Macfall, Al Lafranchi, and four others. John Rolleri served as the first fire chief, guiding the department through its formative years. In 1978, August Grube took over as chief, a role he held for over four decades until the department’s annexation in 2019

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The fire company’s first apparatus was housed on the Clegg Ranch and the Jackson Ranch before the current Spencer Lane firehouse was constructed in the mid-1970s. The land for the station—one acre in total—was generously donated by Rosemary and Howard Jackson, ensuring a dedicated home for fire operations in the valley.

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In 2010, the company’s board was reduced from seven to five members, reflecting shifts in operations and governance. By the time of annexation, four longtime members of the Knights Valley Fire Company—August Grube, Robert Pochini, Richard Sereni, and Scott Newman—transitioned to active roles within the Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District, preserving the legacy of service and commitment to the Knights Valley community.

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Today, the Northern Sonoma County Fire Foundation is actively raising funds to maintain and support the Knights Valley Fire Station, ensuring it remains a vital resource for the community for years to come.