The Zayante Fire Protection District will launch a fundraiser to expand a siren-based early warning system at a benefit concert on Friday, Sept. 22 at Felton Music Hall.

The Zayante Fire Protection District is an all-risk, volunteer fire department that serves roughly 5,500 people in a 15-square mile area that includes Zayante, Lompico, Olympia and parts of unincorporated Los Gatos.

“Most of our service area is steep, rural and thickly wooded,” says Zayante Fire Chief Jeff Maxwell. “Cell reception is limited or nonexistent and the fire risk is high--especially in communities like Lompico, which is a box canyon that’s accessible by one road in and out.”

Maxwell says that implementing an early warning system of sirens is the most effective way to improve emergency communications in the Zayante. 

“We can’t build roads fast enough to make communities like Lompico safer, but we can build an effective early warning system by investing in sirens and training community members to respond to them,” said Zayante Fire Chief Jeff Maxwell.

On Friday, Sept. 22, Felton Music Hall will host a benefit concert to launch the fundraiser for Zayante’s early warning system sirens. 

Featuring national headliner Coyote Island and special guest Smoke Chaser, a local band from Lompico, the Sept. 22 concert is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets are available at: https://tixr.com/e/70763. 

For more information, visit feltonmusichall.com and zayantefire.com.