Home Brentwood East Contra Costa Fire Releases Video to Assist District’s Public Engagement “We are listening” Initiative

East Contra Costa Fire Releases Video to Assist District’s Public Engagement “We are listening” Initiative

by ECT

Brentwood, CA — East Contra Costa Fire Protection District releases a video today to further educate the communities of East Contra Costa on the challenges that the District faces every day to provide fire services in line with nationally recognized standards.

“I need your help! Read and watch our message and tell us what you think. The lives and property you save may be your own”, said Fire Chief Brian Helmick.   “East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) is your fire district, you own it. You have a stake in your fire district’s future” said President Brian Oftedal.

Last year ECCFPD responded to 7,782 emergency 911 calls. We operate 3 fire stations, each staffed by 3 firefighters for a total of 9 firefighters on shift at any given time.  “We are not adequately staffed or equipped to serve our communities, including 120,000 residents across nearly 250 square miles”, said Fire Chief Brian Helmick.

We are available for phone, on camera, or in studio appearances.  And as always, we welcome input from the community.  Send your input and questions to [email protected].

ABOUT THE EAST CONTRA COSTA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT:  The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District is a rural-funded fire district that protects a population of more than 120,000 across its 249 square-mile service area. The District provides firefighting personnel, emergency medical services (basic life support) and fire prevention to the residents and businesses of the cities of Brentwood and Oakley as well as the unincorporated communities of Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Byron, Marsh Creek, and Morgan Territory.

Learn more at www.eccfpd.org

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9 comments

Scott Benedict Dec 2, 2019 - 10:32 am

I concur w/ your efforts to provide adequate fire protection services. I disagree w/ your methods to get there. Your board and fire union want to continue to support large tax increases to achieve your fiscal goals. The effort by the community group to get the yearly increases in property taxes created by building without raising everyone’s taxes is the ONLY responsible way to get the State and Board of Supervisors to allow parity to exist. No one appears to have enough political muscle to make them change 60 year old policies to give us actual parity because of changing demographics. So doing it by increases in building taxes on a gradual basis for Oakley and Brentwood works and is painless to those officials who are spineless or only politically motivated. They won’t take money from cities that vote heavily Democrat, IE: West Co Co cities that receive an inordinate amount of the tax base that was decided when no one lived out here.

Rob Broocker Dec 2, 2019 - 12:17 pm

eastcountyvoters.com

Rob Broocker Dec 2, 2019 - 12:20 pm

eastcountyvoters.com

Scott Benedict Dec 2, 2019 - 10:33 am

What does “moderation mean in this context?

Jg Dec 2, 2019 - 12:36 pm

Ok, hear this opinion;
I do not believe the public has changed its mind regarding new taxes on all parcels. The fact that the cities and county have failed to mitigate new development properly is unforgivable. They have known all along of this issue yet still rubber stamped increased housing. While the district does get some relief, eventually another recession will set them back again. Today there continues to be overspending on non essentials. Along with the many millions of dollars us taxpayers are on the hook for in retirement costs. The general public is not even aware it owes these millions without a new parcel tax. A specific parcel tax will lock in liens of our properties to ensure the millions in unfunded liability are met. So in a sense the district has already increased our tax burden without us knowing it ( see unfunded liabilities for ECCFPD). As I recommended many times before for the last twenty five years , the only few choices left are benefit assessments on all new development or a portion of a countywide sales tax that benefits all fire districts. The sales tax is doable. The parcel tax is frowned on. Existing Citizens do not feel responsible to pay for new development. That is the burden that needs proper mitigation and has been underachieved for years. Until the sales tax is tried, the district will continue to waste hundreds of thousands of dollars on this campaign to extract more taxes from existing property owners to pay for future development. It’s plainly unfair.

Bob Dec 2, 2019 - 3:28 pm

It does not matter what education the fire district puts out voters will not support the tax thanks to the lies of Contra Costa Taxpayers and East County Voters. The District is forever screwed thanks to the lies being told.

Joe Brown Dec 3, 2019 - 1:32 pm

How many times will this district attempt to influence its residents to pass an increased tax ballot measure??? Even Stevie Wonder can see the residents are a Hard Pass on this. It’s up to the residents of East Contra County to fund their own Fire Services. If not, they and they alone should hold themselves responsible when things burn down. Don’t look at ANYONE outside of this district to fund your services. The rest of Contra Costa County does not care to fund your mess. You people are on your own!!! ConFire should only provide minimal assistance under their Mutual Aid agreements. You get what you pay for!!!!!

Joe Brown Dec 3, 2019 - 1:41 pm

How many times is this district going beg for more money from their residents??? It’s clearly a Hard Pass from the voters. The voters have no one to blame when their properties burn down.. but themselves. Get lot’s of Fire Extinguishers people. The rest of Contra Costa County funds their own Fire Services, so residents of East Contra Costa should not expect any help from ConFire. Pay for your own Fire Protection!!! You get what you play for, so don’t look for creative ways outside of your district to fund your Fire Departments. You’re on your own!!!!!

Rob Broocker Dec 4, 2019 - 5:25 pm

Fair enough Joe Brown. We have heard all the complaints. ECCFPD has heard all of this too.

Everyone wants to complain but no one has an answer except eastcountyvoters.com

You can hire consultants, do studies, have polls and do a we are listing campaign. Change the names to strategic plan, blah, blah blah! This is the 4th time through this drill. Yet, let me repeat!!
ECV is the only one with a solution. An answer!! Stop the madness and dragging out the issue.
Every day that is waisted delays helping the citizens ECCFPD is supposed to protect. It is malfeasance!!!

Support “ The Emergency Response For All Initiative “. eastcountyvoters.com

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