The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District responded to a total of 554 calls for service in the month of June with an average response time of 7:20 minutes. In the calendar year of 2013, the District ran 6454 calls for service with an average response time of 7:08.
According to Chief Hugh Henderson, the District is now funding a five station model with a staffing level for four stations–meaning there are currently 10 open positions as they are funded for 48 operational personnel, however, as of July 1 they have just 35 station suppression personnel.
During Tuesdays meeting, Chief Henderson shared that the fifth station is being kept open through the use of overtime at a cost of $85,000 per month. The Board will take a vote in August about whether or not to keep a 5th firehouse open through a Benefit Assessment vote in the fall. The Chief recommends keeping a five station model as long as possible.
Per the staff report:
Staffing recommendations:
The Fire Chief recommends that the District continue to fill open shifts with overtime and maintain our staffing level with five stations until we know the outcome of a potential revenue enhancement measure. This model provides the best service for the community during one of the driest summers in the history of the state. The cost to maintain this staffing level would be an additional $350,000, which is not included within the preliminary budget that was adopted at the June 2 meeting.
When it came to closing stations, the Chief recommend the same course of action as before which means closing stations in the same order as they were re-opened meaning Downtown Brentwood (Station 54) could be shuttered first, followed by Knightsen.
Looking at the response times by stations according to the Staff Report:
- Station 52- John Muir Parkway, Brentwood, had 163 calls in the month of June with an average response time of 6:14 minutes. In May there were a total of 170 calls with an average response time of 6:16 minutes. In the calendar year of 2013 the station ran 1857 calls for service with an average response time of 6:26.
- Station 54-Downtown Brentwood, had 108 calls in the month of June with an average response time of 6:28 minutes. In May there were a total of 119 calls with an average response time of 6:07 minutes. In the calendar year of 2013 the station ran 1336 calls for service with an average response time of 6:28.
- Station 59-1685 Bixler Rd, Discovery Bay, had 83 calls in the month of June with an average response time of 8:56 minutes. In May there were a total of 79 calls with an average response time of 7:59 minutes. In the calendar year of 2013 the station ran 774 calls for service with an average response time of 8:54.
- Station 93 530 O’Hare Ave, Oakley, had 155 calls in the month of June with an average response time of 6:52 minutes. In May there were a total of 157 calls with an average response time of 6:51 minutes. In the calendar year of 2013 the station ran 1752 calls for service with an average response time of 6:16.
- Station 94-15 A St, Knightsen, had 14 calls in the month of June with an average response time of 8:44 minutes. In May there were a total of 20 calls with an average response time of 8:12 minutes. In the calendar year of 2013 the station ran 176 calls for service with an average response time of 8:30.
- Station 95- 3045 Ranch Ln, Bethel Island (closed 7-1-2012), had 24 calls in the area of this closed station in the month of June with an average response time of 12:14 minutes. In the month May of there were 28 calls with an average response time of 13:58 minutes. In the calendar year of 2013 the District ran 355 calls for service in the station area with an average response time of 11:31.
- Cal-Fire Station 16-Marsh Creek/Morgan Territory had 7 calls in the month of June with an average response time of 9:25 minutes. In May there were a total of 12 calls with an average response time of 9:25 minutes. In the calendar year of 2013 the station ran 195 calls for service with an average response time of 9.25.
Auto aid:
In the month of June, the District received auto aid from Contra Costa County Fire 28 times, with them sending 32 engines. The District sent auto aid to Contra Costa County Fire 20 times providing them with 26 engines. During the month of May, Contra Costa County Fire came into the District 24 times with 34 engines and we responded into Contra Costa County Fire 15 times with 18 engines.
