RHFD

RODEO HERCULES FIRE DISTRICT/PINOLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

 M E D I A   R E L E A S E

 DATE: May 10, 2012

 TIME OF ALARM: 11:30

 TYPE OF INCIDENT: Temporary Fire Station Closure

 LOCATION: Rodeo Hercules Fire District

 INFORMATION:

 The Rodeo Hercules Fire District has been continuously providing service since 1927. The ability to provide the standard of care established in the communities of Rodeo and Hercules is in jeopardy and has been significantly impacted by declining revenues and restrictions on raising existing tax rates and fee structures.

 The Rodeo Hercules Fire District provides service from two fire stations in the communities of Rodeo and Hercules. The Fire Chief also serves as the Chief of the neighboring Pinole Fire Department. In 2010, the combined agencies responded to over 4500 incidents, including fires, rescues and cardiac incidents. In addition, we assisted in helping our neighbors in Western Contra Costa and Northern and Southern California. In that same year, due to financial circumstances, we were compelled to close one of the two (2) Pinole Fire Stations.

 Providing established core service and maintaining the “standard of care” in the communities of Rodeo and Hercules continues to be a challenge. Funding restrictions require strict adherence to statewide initiatives and election laws. 

Due to catastrophic financial conditions and a 30% reduction in assessed values in the Hercules Redevelopment Merged Project Area, Fire District revenues have plummeted. Additionally, the Fire District loses more than $2 million dollars annually from state and local property tax shifts. As a result of these circumstances we continue to seek long term alternatives and options to stabilize our fiscal situation.

 As we all work through these challenges, the Fire District is committed to providing the highest level of service that conditions allow. Unfortunately this means extraordinary measures including relying on automatic and mutual aid, shared service agreements and beginning May 10 2012, another temporary fire station closure will begin. This is the second Fire Station in the area to close in less than a year. The Fire District is making every effort to bridge the budget shortfall and reduce the structural deficit.

 There will remain two (2) fully staffed Fire Stations serving the Fire District and the City of Pinole; one fire company in the Fire District and one fire company in Pinole.

 As your Fire Chief, I want to assure you that these actions were not taken lightly or without significant changes to staffing, existing practices and the full cooperation and sacrifice of each member of the organization.

  PRESS RELEASE BY: Charles Hanley, FIRE CHIEF       DATE: 05/10/2012

The Pinole Fire Department along with the John Muir Health Child Safety Coalition  hosted a Child Safety Seat Check-Up on April 18, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Target Pinole Parking Lot.    This is an annual event free to the public.

The  Rodeo Hercules Fire Protection District’s 2012 Strategic Plan has been provided to the Board of Directors for their review.  Final adoption is scheduled for April 25, 2012.   A draft copy of the Strategic Plan may be reviewed at 2012 Strategic Plan

Per Board direction, the April 2012 Board of Directors meeting will be held on April 25, 2012 7:00 p.m. at Station 76 – 1680 Refugio Valley Road, Hercules, CA 94547

The Rodeo Hercules Fire Department continues its annual school programs at Rodeo Hills Elementary School in Rodeo.  Captain Darren Johnson, Engineer Rich Clarine and Engineer/Paramedic Jack Clapp visits third grade classes to teach fire safety.  The Fire District visits all third graders at Ohlone Elementary,  Lupine Elementary, Rodeo Hills Elementary and St. Patricks Elementary Schools.  Fire and home safety training is provided which includes Stop, Drop and Roll, escape routes, meeting locations, cooking hazards, water safety and bicycle/skateboard safety.   The annual training visits conclude with a show and tell of the fire engine.