The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians

Valley Center, CA… The Rincon Fire Department will receive the 2018 Wildlife Mitigation Award (WMA) during the International Association of Fire Chiefs Wildland-Urban Interface Conference (WUI) in Reno, Nevada on February 28, 2018.  The WMA is the highest national honor one can receive for outstanding work and program impact in wildfire preparedness and mitigation. 

“This national award is yet another indication of the hard work and dedication our fire department provides to Rincon and its surrounding communities,” stated Bo Mazzetti, Chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians.  “We are honored to have been recognized and I applaud our Fire Chief and his team for a job well done.”

The Wildfire Mitigation Award was established in 2014, to recognize the large number of great wildfire mitigation programs and projects that are making a positive difference in the communities.

“The 2018 Wildfire Mitigation awardees are valued partners of the nation’s state foresters and the agencies they lead, serving as key members in the nationwide effort to ensure safer and more rapid response to wildfire year-round,” said George Geissler, Oklahoma state forester and president of the National Association of State Foresters, a co-sponsor of the Wildfire Mitigation Awards. “I commend the awardees for their wildfire preparedness efforts which contribute to saving lives, protecting thousands of homes, and strengthening our communities.”

“As the Fire Chief of the Rincon Fire Department, it is our mission to provide quality service, protect life, property, and the environment of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians with a professional, highly trained group of servants dedicated to the Band, visitors, and community,” expressed Chief Ed Hadfield.  “With that said; we are honored to be chosen for this prestigious award. This award is a recognition of a whole community approach to wildfire mitigation. Our entire community has embraced and forged forward with the mitigation strategies necessary to assure the lands and the culturally sensitive areas remain in harmony with the rich cultural values of the Rincon people.”

The Wildfire Mitigation Awards are sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Fire Protection Association, and the USDA Forest Service.

Valley Center, CA… The Chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians Bo Mazzetti received the first issued 2018 CalVet Coin during his recent trip to the State Capitol.  The symbolism of the CalVet coin honors all California veterans.

“As an Indian veteran, I was deeply humbled and honored to receive the first 2018 CalVet coin issued by Secretary Imbasciani in the state,” stated Bo Mazzetti, Chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians.  “Defending the United States instilled a great sense of pride, dignity, determination and the will to continue even under adverse odds.  I look forward to working closely with Secretary Imbasciani and our Indian veteran population to reach our shared needs and values.”

The new CalVet coin represents key aspects from the California state flag and, on the obverse, shows all service medallions.

“Our great state is home to the largest Native American veteran population in the United States, but many are not receiving all the benefits they have earned through their service,” stated Dr. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. “At CalVet, we’re committed to clearing any barriers Native Americans veterans may face in claiming these benefits, and meeting with Chairman Mazzetti is a step toward realizing that goal. It’s one of many meetings I hope to have with the Native American veteran population, and from one veteran to another, I hope the CalVet coin given to Chairman Mazzetti is a friendly reminder to return often.”

The most prominent symbol on the coin is the grizzly bear, a symbol of strength and unyielding resistance. The bear embodies a powerful surge of courage that every warrior taps into during a time of need. The bear travels west, a reference to the farthest continental state, California. Behind the grizzly, is a field of white, the great equalizer, containing a balance of all the colors of the spectrum, diversity, completion, and wholeness, the perfect transition from warrior to veteran. The single red star is a symbol of bravery. The green earth the bear walks on represents the progress CalVet has made since its inception in 1946 in honoring all California veteran by connecting them and their families with their earned benefits through education, advocacy, and direct services.

Turn the coin over and each of the five branches of military service float in a field of dark blue. This color conveys the power, and authority of the U.S. Armed Forces. CalVet’s mission statement wraps tightly around the five branches of service.

SAN DIEGO, CA – SCS Engineers will provide environmental due diligence services to the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. Under the contract, SCS will conduct Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, as well as lead and asbestos assessments, to protect tribal resources such as soil and groundwater, and protect the health and safety of residents.

“We are very happy to work with SCS Engineers and increase the skills and support our reservation needs,” stated Bo Mazzetti, Chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians. “We strongly believe they possess the experience and professionalism necessary to assist us with our environmental goals.” 

The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians reside on a 6,000-acre reservation in Valley Center, California and has a tribal population of approximately 500 members, many living throughout the United States. Established in 1875, the Rincon Band is a sovereign government recognized by the U.S. Constitution, the United States Congress, court precedent, and federal policy. 

“We are working in partnership with the Rincon Band to protect and enhance resources for the land they own and oversee,” said Luke Montague, Project Manager with SCS Engineers. “We will work closely with the tribe’s operations to achieve their goals and to protect their natural resources.”

The Rincon Band owns Harrah’s Resort Southern California and uses profits and other commercial enterprises to provide government services, cultural programs, and economic development resources.

About SCS Engineers

SCS Engineers offers sustainable environmental solutions to public and private clients to meet environmental and economic challenges. SCS provides these services through a network of nationwide offices. For more information about SCS, please visit our website at www.scsengineers.com, or contact us at service@scsengineers.com.

Contact:          
David Kodama
David Kodama                       
Cook + Schmid
619-814-2370 ext. 17
dkodama@cookandschmid.com