Home Brentwood Downtown Brentwood Station Reopens and Ready for Service

Downtown Brentwood Station Reopens and Ready for Service

by ECT

At 8:00 am this morning, Station 54 in Downtown Brentwood reopened for service as Captain Craig Auzenne radioed in to dispatch alerting them they were staffed with three.

Although there is much work to be done to convince the public of a future revenue enhancement, this morning was all smiles and filled with joy.

“It’s a step in the right direction and I thank the chief and command staff for their hard work getting the SAFER Grant. I want to remind the community this is only a short term solution without further permanent funding for the district,” said ECCFPD Board President and Brentwood Vice Mayor Joel Bryant.

Brentwood Mayor Bob Taylor joked he was happy this station was re-opened because it was close to his home. Later, he shared how important this is for the community and what it means for emergency response coverage.

“I think it’s a red letter day versus a red flag day,” said Mayor Taylor.

Meanwhile, Fire Chief Hugh Henderson stated to KPIX news that its been a rough year.

“The hardest time in my career was 10-months ago in closing stations.” Said Chief Henderson. “It’s taken a lot of effort to get this to happen today and it’s something for the community.”

Battalion Chief Brian Helmick shared that today was tribute to months of hard work by the entire District at all levels from writing the SAFER Grant, to the Board, to the firefighters themselves. Everybody chipped in while we had station closures.

“It’s a good day because guys are going into the stations and not out,” said Helmick.

The SAFEER Grant will allow Station 54 (Downtown Brentwood) and Station 94 (Knightsen) to remain open through November 2014. Prior to that, the Board will begin working on a revenue enhancement of some sort after labor negotiations with Local 1230 is complete.

Vince Wells, President of the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230 made the trip because it was an important day for the District and he was there when the Station closed last year.

“It’s a great day and a perfect time for this station to open as its looking like it will be a busy fire season,” said Wells, “Station 54 will help us respond to calls and improve response times while putting more firefighters to work.

Here is a video of Captain Craig Auzenne calling into to dispatch sharing that the station is now open.

Station54 video

Here are photos from this mornings opening.

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10 comments

Julio-Antioch May 1, 2013 - 12:47 pm

I was thinking the same thing. Dressed like the classless person he is.

Congrats on the reopening.

JimSimmons42 May 1, 2013 - 12:54 pm

Not sure why there are Bob Taylor attacks, it’s Bob being Bob and I can appreciate his humor. He is the mayor and is supposed to be about Brentwood. Good job everyone and great shots. Hopefully this wakes folks up and ensures stations stay open.

ECV May 2, 2013 - 12:19 pm

JimSimmons,

Not sure about the others, but I am no fan of Taylor (obviously) because he is such a JOKE. That is not humor. He is mayor and needs to act like it, and yes, it carries a certain responsibility. Humor should be an asset, not a flaw (Think of it this way; people aren’t laughing WITH Bob Taylor…..they are laughing AT him).

As Julio-Antioch pointed out “dressed like the classless person he is”. What kind of Mayor shows up at an event dressed in an undersized pink shirt, making stupid statements? Let’s not forget that very same “humorous” Mayor sat on the fire board that closed this very same station.

Open your eyes. Unless you are one of the Blue Hairs over in Summerset that put this oaf in office, he shouldn’t get a pass. He may have duped them but you appear much smarter.

I do agree with you on your last point. I hope this wakes folks up….

Brentwood Mom May 1, 2013 - 1:34 pm

Welcome back, we missed you station 54!

Nikki May 1, 2013 - 1:37 pm

Is tha Tara Moriarty of Channel 2 hanging out? Very cool! This is such great news not only for Brentwood, but for the entire district.

ECVsBrother May 1, 2013 - 8:10 pm

I’m sorry for my brother ECVs insensitivity. I’m pretty sure he hurt himself posting it. Well it should reading his first sentence.

ECV May 1, 2013 - 9:38 pm

@ ECVs Brother,

If stupid hurts, then you are a terminal case. While Taylor is seen as not that bright by those that meet him, “stupid” is just the beginning of your long list issues. You would make a therapist a very wealthy man. That is, if they would even accept your case. I believe you have a long history of rejection. Am I right?
Don’t answer that “Bro”…it was rhetorical, we both already know the answer.

It’s been about a week now, isn’t it time for you to invent a new stage name?

Sorry for being so truthful with you, but sometimes just like stupid, the thruth hurts.

🙂

Sam May 2, 2013 - 9:39 am

I thought this was about the station opening? Congrats, Boys. Brentwood is a safer place!

ECV May 2, 2013 - 12:37 pm

Sam,

You are close. The problem is that the real problem has never gone away. Opening this station is nice but it is like putting a band-aid on cancer. There is no money to continue the staffing in the long run. I am happy that we have the station opened again but we are setting ourselves up for future disappointment.

Safer yes, but for how long and when it comes back around to asking for another tax, what do you think Brentwood voters are going to think. Hey, we have our stations open. You need to think past the feel good part of the equation.

Trying to Keep Stations Open,ECCFPD Board Takes First Step Towards Parcel Tax | East County Today Sep 10, 2013 - 10:12 am

[…] The District was able to temporary re-open two of the three stations (Brentwood and Knightsen) after a SAFER Grant was awarded, however, that is set to expire in November 2014. See pictures from May 1! […]

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