RHFD

On May 19 and 20 , the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District participated in the ‘Every 15 Minutes’ drill held at the Hercules High School.  Juniors and Seniors from the high school participated in the “Every 15 Minutes” program which simulates a DUI crash in an effort to reduce the number of teens injured or killed in drunk driving accidents each year.  

The crash simulation included student actors, police officers, medical personnel, a helicopter and the fire department  An assembly was held on the following day to discuss the simulation. Even though this was a simulation, not a real incident, emergency personnel responded to the  crash as if it were real.

The Every 15 Minutes program takes place at the High School every two years and similar simulations are done at high schools throughout California. The program can have a tremendous impact in the lives of our teens, especially for those that are involved in the simulation.

Crews meet with Principal Linda Larson at Rodeo Hills Elementary School to assist in replacing stolen flags. 

Captain Bryan Craig, Engineer Rick Perez and Paramedic John Bischoff attended the Rodeo Youth Mentoring Program’s Career Day on March 21, 2009.  The Mentoring Program provides assistance with academics and social skills and builds leadership skills.   The crews provided information on pursuing a career in the fire service.  

The Contra Costa County Emergency Medical Services has recognized the dedicated work by District paramedics who have continued to complete and submit on-time 100%  of its patient care reports.  The District received the EMS Agency Leader in Consistent Outstanding Performance Award for the first quarter of 2009.

The District is proud to publish its 2008 Annual Report which was approved by the Board of Directors at its March 18, 2009 meeting.

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. The purpose of the CERT Program is to improve community preparedness in the event of a disaster.

The CERT flyer can be downloaded here (Adobe .pdf).

Next CERT  Drill is March 28, 2009 at Station 76 in Hercules.  All past CERT graduates are welcome to ‘Drill Your Skills’

The Rodeo-Hercules Fire District welcomes two new Board of Directors.

Mr. Walter Trujillo, Jr. is a retired police officer from the City of Richmond currently working with the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Trujillo will fill the term of Director Jim Lopeman who left office in July and will serve until 2010.

Mr. John Sherman Mills, Jr. was appointed in lieu of an election and will take office the first Friday in December. Mr. Mills is a retired speech and language specialist. Mr. Mills serves as a volunteeer for several organizations in Hercules. The Board of Directors and District personnel welcomes both of its new members and looks forward to working with them in the future.

Kevin Kraus from L.N. Curtis & Sons provided company training for crews from Rodeo-Hercules Fire District, Pinole Fire Department and Contra-Costa County Fire Protection District. Rescue 42 and Jaws of Life were used to perform vehicle extrication and rescue drills.

We are pleased to announce that the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) has  launched a new disaster preparedness campaign. This new program, “Be Smart,” is the first-of its kind statewide. California’s First Lady Maria Shriver joined in launching California’s new “Be Smart. Be Responsible. Be prepared. Get Ready” campaign in April 2005. Inspired by her personal desire and vision to encourage all Californians to be ready for disasters by taking the responsibility to prepare within their home and their community.
California residents are encouraged to visit the “Be Smart” web pages on the Office of Emergency Services website, which provides all statewide campaign information and links to partnering agencies.