RHFD

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

DATE:  March 9, 2012
TIME OF ALARM: 2:45 am
TYPE OF ALARM: Structure Fire
LOCATION: 1201 Sanford Ave, San Pablo
RESPONSE: 4 Engines, 1 Truck, 2 Battalion Chiefs
ASSISTING AGENCIES: Richmond Fire, Pinole Fire, Animal Control, San Pablo Police
TOTAL FIRE PERSONNEL AT SCENE: 17

GENERAL STORY:  An early morning fire in San Pablo was extinguished by crews from the Richmond Fire Department and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.   The fire destroyed a utility shed that was attached to a two story, four unit apartment building at 1201 Sanford Av. in San Pablo.  Crews kept the fire from spreading to the occupied dwelling while two apartment units were temporarily evacuated.  The fire was brought under control at 2:55 am. A dog was found unresponsive in the shed and was successfully resuscitated and treated for smoke inhalation by personnel from Richmond Fire.  Crews were unable to locate the dog’s owner and the dog was turned over to County Animal Control.  Fire damage is estimated at $5000.  Cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no reported injuries.
 
PRESS RELEASE BY: Brian Lowry – Pinole  Battalion Chief 
925-383-4120

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.

The Pinole Rotary Club  Honors Rodeo Hercules Fire District Captain John Houseman and Pinole Fire Department Firefighter/Paramedic Steve Dorsey.   Captain Houseman began his career in 1977 as a Reserve Firefighter with the Rodeo Fire Department and was hired as a full-time firefighter in 1980.   He quickly rose through the ranks becoming a Captain in 1989.  He grew up in Rodeo attending St. Patrick’s Elementary School and John Swett High School.  He and his wife Pam, have lived in Pinole for over 30 years.    Paramedic Dorsey is also a home town boy, graduating from Pinole Valley High School and Sacramento State.  He began his fire service career with the Cordelia Fire District and as a Reserve Firefighter with Pinole Fire Department.   He was hired as a full-time firefighter/paramedic in 2008.   The District is proud to honor Captain Houseman and Paramedic Dorsey for their dedication to the fire service and to the communities they serve.

DATE: January 9, 2012

TIME OF ALARM: 3:34 am

TYPE OF ALARM: Single family residential structure fire.

LOCATION: 310 Lilac Cir, Hercules

RESPONSE: 4 Engines, 1 Truck, 2 Battalion Chiefs

ASSISTING AGENCIES: Pinole Fire Dept., Contra Costa Fire Protection District, Crockett-Carquinez Fire District,  El Cerrito Fire Dept., Hercules Police dept.

GENERAL; On 1/9/12, The Rodeo-Hercules Fire District,  Pinole Fire Dept,  Contra Costa Fire Protection District and the Crockett-Carquinez Fire District extinguished a chimney, roof and attic fire at a two story single family residence at 310 Lilac Cir. in Hercules .  Twenty firefighters staffing four engines and a truck brought the fire under control at 4:15am.  The fire was determined to have started in the fireplace, extended into chimney flue’s exterior construction and into the structure’s attic.  The residence was occupied at the time of the fire and a smoke alarm awakened the occupant who was able to escape .  A Rodeo-Hercules firefighter was injured by a partial roof collapse and was transported to Kaiser Vallejo by ambulance.  The fire caused an estimated $200,000 in damage.  The Rodeo-Hercules Fire District asks all residents to check their smoke alarms monthly and have chimneys inspected once a year.

PRESS RELEASE BY: Brian Lowry  Battalion Chief