Belva Bristol retires after 33 years of service to CFPD

After 33 years of service to the Copperopolis Fire Protection District, Office Manager Belva Bristol has officially retired.

"I will stay involved with the fire department." She said through teary eyes at the small award ceremony held Thursday January 12, 2012 where she was awarded a plaque for her years of service and a celebratory cake was cut and enjoyed.

Belva was voted as Calaveras County Senior of the Year in 2009 for her many contributions to the community and surrounding areas. Belva sits on many committees from the Copperopolis Community Center preserving Copperopolis History to the Copperopolis Friends of the Library promoting literacy and supporting the local library. Belva's face has become a common sight at almost ALL community events as a behind the scenes busy bee.

Belva still plans on staying involved with the Copperopolis Volunteer Firefighter and Auxilary Association, helping where needed. She is also spending a bit of time helping the new chief, Jeff Milar, transition to absorb her duties under his job duties umbrella.

Milar will not be replacing Belva. Stating that though the Board of Directors had allotted some monies for a part-time position, Milar would rather try to absorb those duties himself with the help of Captain Cantrell and save any extra funds for possible firefighter or intern positions.
Belva began with Copper Fire in 1978 when there was one Chief/firefighter/engineer and one engine. Then Chief Dennis Powers would field emergency calls from his home, his wife Donna many times directing the volunteers after the call came in. Belva quickly became the Chiefs right-hand man (woman) as the town and the Fire Department grew so did the paperwork, the organization and the need for organized 'executive' secretarial work, from payroll to ordering office supplies, from preparing agendas and minutes to organizing class schedules and town events that benefitted the Department.