Kathy Catron

Fire Chief, Doyle Fire Protection District

Serving Doyle

For Chief Kathy Catron, serving Doyle is more than a job — it is part of her family's history and a community she has called home for generations.

Kathy began volunteering with the fire department at 18 years old and eventually followed in her father's footsteps, becoming Fire Chief after he retired.

A Deep Connection to Doyle

Her connection to Doyle runs even deeper: her great-great-grandfather helped establish the town and served as its first postmaster, and generations of her family have called the community home.

Serving the Community

Kathy has also spent decades serving local families through the Fort Sage Unified School District. In addition to her previous work with the district, she continues to drive a school bus and van, remaining a familiar face to students and families in the community.

Leading Through Difficult Times

As Fire Chief, Kathy leads a local volunteer department where firefighters live, work, and raise their families alongside the people they protect.

That connection became especially personal during the devastating fires that struck Doyle in 2020 and 2021. During the Beckwourth Complex Fire, Kathy and her volunteers helped evacuate residents and defend homes and other structures while also facing evacuation orders themselves and worrying about their own families.

Looking Ahead

Those experiences have reinforced Kathy's commitment to keeping Doyle prepared. She has spoken publicly about the challenges facing rural communities like Doyle, from limited resources and difficult fire conditions to the growing threat of large wildfires.

Today, Chief Catron continues to lead the Doyle Fire Protection District while remaining involved in the everyday life of the community she serves.