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

M E D I A   R E L E A S E

DATE: May 9, 2011

TIME OF ALARM: 08:35

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Commercial Structure Fire

LOCATION: 102 Civic Drive, Hercules

RESPONSE: 4 Engines, 1 Truck, 2 Battalion Chief

ASSISTING AGENCIES: Pinole Fire Department, Crockett Fire Department, CCC Fire Department, El Cerrito Fire Department, Hercules Police Department, Hercules Public Works, American Medical Response West, American Red Cross

TOTAL FIRE PERSONNEL AT SCENE: 21

FIRE INFORMATION:

Control Time: 1100

Cause: Accidental

 GENERAL STORY: All Concerned-

At 0835 hrs. Rodeo-Hercules responded with mutual aid units to a 52 unit Adult Living apartment building.  Upon arrival, light smoke was showing from a second story apartment.  Upon entering the buildings second floor, crews found the hallway filled with smoke and a residence suffering smoke inhalation in need of rescue from the building.  Fire crews received reports that there were other potential victims trapped inside.   Crew’s performed a search of all floors of the building and Hercules P.D. assisted with evacuation of the First and Third floors. The adjacent Hercules senior center opened for evacuees.  No other fire victims were located, although some non-ambulatory residents needed assistance to the evacuation center.   The resident that suffered smoke inhalation was released from the hospital and shelter was arranged through Red Cross.  No Firefighters or other emergency workers suffered any injuries.

PRESS RELEASE BY: Bryan Craig     DATE: 05/09/2012 1830 hours

CONTACT PERSON / PHONE NUMBER: Bryan Craig 510-799-4561

MEDIA RELEASE

DATE:  March 19, 2012

TIME OF INCIDENT : 11:08am

TYPE OF INCIDENT:  Natural Gas Release

LOCATION: Pinole Valley High School,  2900 Pinole Valley Rd, Pinole

RESPONSE: 1 Engine, 1 Battalion Chief

ASSISTING AGENCIES: Pinole Police Department, PG&E

 GENERAL;  A natural gas release forced the temporary evacuation of students and staff from Pinole Valley High School, in Pinole,  today at 11:00 am.  Multiple reports of a strong odor of natural gas were received along a narrow 1500 ft. corridor along Pinole Valley Rd from Interstate 80 to Shea Dr .   By the time Fire and PG&E crews arrived the odor had dissipated and no leak was found.   PG&E crews and High School maintenance staff were unable to determine if the original source of the release was from the High School.  PG&E crews checked potential sources upwind, without success.  Four of  Pinole Valley High’s  staff  were evaluated for the complaint of light headedness but were not transported. The evacuation order was terminated at 11:40.  The source of the release is still under investigation. 

 PRESS RELEASE BY: Brian Lowry  Battalion Chief 

CONTACT PERSON / PHONE NUMBER:

Brian Lowry  925-383-4120