Looking Forward....Looking Back

Who We Are - by Bill Lellis
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Tom Forster’s (1958-2018) forward thinking vision brought forth the Marin County Fire
Chiefs’ Association Fire History website. The first blog was posted on March 29, 2015.
As we embark on this generation of the web site, it is appropriate, that we learn
more about this man we all know as Tom.
Tom was a third-generation volunteer firefighter. His Grandfather Frank Nelson was the
Town of Corte Madera’s Public Safety Officer for over 30 years, serving the town as
both Police Chief, and in his final years as Fire Chief. Tom’s father Jack was also a
lifelong volunteer with the town’s fire department. Tom could not wait for the opportunity
to turn 18 years old, as that was the minimum age to join the volunteer force. By the
time Tom turned 18, the Corte Madera Volunteer organization had disbanded,
leaving Tom in a dilemma on how to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a
firefighter. Tom did the next best thing and applied to become a volunteer with the
neighboring community of Larkspur. Tom was gladly accepted, and would serve the
citizens of Larkspur with honor and distinction. After graduation from Chico state he
became a member of The Skywalker Ranch Fire Department, where he proudly worked
for its founder George Lucas for over 35 years.
Later in his life, Tom married Maureen, and lived at Skywalker Ranch, where he managed both the Skywalker Ranch Fire Department as Fire Chief and other Ranch activities. Tom and Maureen eventually moved to Plumas County, while Tom continued to work for George Lucas. Tom became associated with the Plumas Eureka Volunteer Fire Department, eventually becoming its Fire Chief. During their long relationship, Maureen was instrumental in many of Tom’s successes and provided continued support and companionship.
It has been over a year since Tom’s last blog. The Marin County Fire Chiefs’
Association, as in the past, will continue to sponsor this renewed endeavor.
We are proud to continue with Tom’s legacy and move forward with renewed
enthusiasm with the Marin County Fire Chiefs’ Fire History web site.
The Editor will be Fire Chief Bob Marcucci (retired), the Web Master will be Dan White
of Share-A-Vision Productions and Fire Chief Bill Lellis (retired) serve as
Contributing Editor.
The name of the new blog will be The Code Three. We hope that all of you will
participate and contribute articles telling us about the history of your department, prior
to 1959, as it relates to the Marin County Fire Service. Use the form on the CONTACT page of this website or email us at our new email address [email protected]

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L > R Dan White and Bill Lellis at Skywalker circa 2011