East Contra Costa Fire Protection District ins appeals hearing for citation issued for illegal fireworks show on July 4, 2020
By Steve Aubert, Fire Marshal, Public Information Officer, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Fire Prevention Division was advised of an illegal fireworks show that had taken place on the July 4, 2020 holiday in Discovery Bay. An investigation pursued and revealed a large-scale show of a little over 500 fireworks had been fired the night of the 4th of July resulting in one Discovery Bay resident receiving a citation of $26,325.00.
Fire Marshal Steve Aubert stated, “With the District’s limited resources of only three stations available to respond to fires, our Prevention Division works to eliminate all potential fires within the District.”
District Board President Brian Oftedal stated, “On June 25, 2020 the Fire District put out a press release urging everyone to avoid the temptation of putting yourself and your neighbors at risk and reminded the public that Contra Costa County is a firework free zone.”
“It is unfortunate that these warnings were blatantly ignored and that our community was placed at increased risk,” he continued. “I am hopeful that this incident will serve as an eye opener to our communities and discourages individuals from violating local and county ordinances in the future.”
All fireworks are illegal in Contra Costa County, and violators may be subject to criminal charges or citations if found to possess, manufacture, sell, use or discharge, or offer to do so, any fireworks (including “dangerous,” “safe and sane,” and other fireworks) as defined in or pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 12502 through 12504.
Smoke from a small fire could be seen in Discovery Bay during the private, illegal fireworks displays. Asked if that was caused by the person who was fined Aubert responded, “Hard to say. We ran so many calls that night and there were less than a handful of us patrolling for illegal fireworks. This one was brought to our attention later.”
ABOUT ECCFPD
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District is a rural-funded fire district that currently operates 3 fire stations and has a 3-station deficit. The District protects a population of more than 128,000 across its 249 square-mile service area. ECCFPD provides firefighting personnel, emergency medical services (basic life support) and fire prevention to the residents and businesses of the cities of Brentwood and Oakley, and unincorporated communities of Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Byron, Marsh Creek, and Morgan Territory. Learn more at www.eccfpd.org or social media via Facebook (East Contra Costa Fire Protection District), Instagram(@east_contra_costa_fire), Twitter (@ECCFPD) or our YouTube channel (East Contra Costa Fire Protection District).
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreDue to “six reported cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot” after vaccination
SACRAMENTO – On Tuesday, April 13, 2021 the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a statement from Dr. Erica Pan, state epidemiologist, regarding the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
“Today, the CDC and FDA have recommended a temporary pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine out of an abundance of caution. Of over 6.8 million doses administered nationally, there have been six reported cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot with symptoms occurring 6 to 13 days after vaccination.
“California is following the FDA and CDC’s recommendation and has directed health care providers to pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until we receive further direction from health and safety experts. Additionally, the state will convene the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup to review the information provided by the federal government on this issue. As the federal government has said, we do not expect a significant impact to our vaccination allocations. In California, less than 4% of our vaccine allocation this week is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”
For more information about the adverse effects, and what to do if you are experiencing symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider. We will provide additional details on what this means for our state efforts as they become available.
The joint CDC and FDA statement can be found here.
In addition, the Contra Costa Health Services issued the following announcement on Tuesday about the matter, also pausing use of the J&J vaccine:
To ensure that every dose of COVID-19 vaccine provided in our county is safe for patients, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) will today temporarily pause its use of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine while federal regulatory agencies examine new information about a possible, rare side effect that can cause blood clots.
CCHS is closely following guidance issued this morning by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding this vaccine. CCHS continues to administer the other vaccines approved for emergency use in the U.S., from Pfizer and Moderna.
Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine is a very small part of Contra Costa’s vaccine allocation from the state and federal governments and CCHS does not anticipate cancelling any of its vaccination appointments at this time.
Patients with vaccination appointments through CCHS should attend at their scheduled time.
CCHS is not aware of any reported cases of adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccine in the county that were inconsistent with those documented during the extensive clinical trials conducted to ensure the safety of all vaccines used in the U.S.
The risk of an adverse reaction for people who received Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine more than a month ago is extremely low, according to the CDC.
People who received this vaccine more recently should contact a healthcare provider immediately if they develop symptoms such as severe headaches, severe abdominal pain, severe leg pain or shortness of breath – these symptoms are different than the usual, minor reactions that some people may experience in the day or two following their vaccination.
The FDA has not received any reports of similar side effects associated with the use of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
CCHS will update the public at cchealth.org/coronavirus as more information becomes available about this developing situation.
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Station set to replace temporary facilities in use since 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake
The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced Tuesday, April 13, 2021, the completion of construction of the new Fire Station 70 in the City of San Pablo. Located at the corner of 23rd Street and Market Avenue, the new station will replace temporary Fire Station 70, which has been in service nearby since the permanent one was severely damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Officials, firefighters and family members of those for whom the station is named, joined Fire Chief Lewis T. Broschard for the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the station.
When actually opened in the coming weeks, Fire Station 70 will support the city and surrounding communities along with district firefighters, allowing for better quality of life, health, training, and community interaction. The three-bay station is built to modern earthquake standards to ensure its availability for facilitating disaster preparedness and response, including a potential location for a West County disaster-response command post.
Fire Station 70 is named the Captain Matthew Burton and Engineer Scott Desmond Memorial Station in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice made by these Con Fire firefighters in the early morning hours of July 21, 2007. Responding on Engine 70 to reports of a structure fire on nearby Michelle Drive, Captain Burton and Engineer Desmond tragically lost their lives attempting to rescue a couple trapped in their burning home. As a result of their sacrifice, the Con Fire Advisory Fire Commission recommended, and the Fire Board (County Board of Supervisors) authorized, the new fire station dedication in their names.
“Today culminates a multi-year collaborative effort between Con Fire and the City of San Pablo to get our firefighters into a modern and long overdue permanent fire station in San Pablo,” said Lewis T. Broschard III, fire chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “The new Fire Station 70 is a fitting memorial to fallen firefighters Matt Burton and Scott Desmond, offering enhanced facilities to support emergency services to both neighboring communities and the firefighters who will staff it.”
Total cost for the new station is $14 million with the City of San Pablo contributing $4.5 million to the project.
Designed with cancer prevention in mind, the station will include state-of-the-art gross decontamination showers, turnout extractors, a decontamination sauna, and modern systems for extraction of diesel exhaust particulates. The new station’s training props will allow for considerable training opportunities for crews including ladder work, rappelling and indoor all-weather training.
Read MoreOpportunity for neighboring community members to offer input of what they want from the impacts of the project
If you live or work in the Delta, we’d like to invite you to join an online workshop to provide feedback to the Department of Water Resources about the Community Benefits Program of the Delta Conveyance (tunnel) Project. On April 14, between 6:00 and 8:00 pm, Ag Innovations will facilitate a large online workshop to gather feedback from Delta residents on the Department of Water Resources (DWR), Community Benefits program.
To Register for the April 14 Workshop Email DeltaConveyanceCBP@water.ca.gov
Click Here for more information.
However, as of Monday, April 12, the day the Herald received the notification of the meeting on the 14th, registrations are closed. If you would still like to participate, please email us at DeltaConveyanceCBP@water.ca.gov. If you cannot participate in the workshop, but would like to provide input, please email us at DeltaConveyanceCBP@water.ca.gov. A recording of each workshop will be posted, along with the background material, at https://water.ca.gov/Programs/State-Water-Project/Delta-Conveyance/Community-Benefits-Program
About the workshop: DWR is developing a community benefits program to acknowledge that if the Delta Conveyance project is approved it could have potential adverse effects on communities through construction of major capital projects. The Community Benefits program could create economic, social, and other benefits in the local community. A Community Benefits Program could go beyond what traditional “environmental mitigation” typically affords.
Why participate: While people oppose the Delta Conveyance Project, DWR has no expectation that participating in the workshops signals any support for the Delta Conveyance Project. The community benefits program would only proceed if the project were approved. But participating now provides community members a chance to shape the program to best suit the needs of the local community.
Ag Innovations is a 501c3 nonprofit and is committed to reaching out to underrepresented voices and creating meaningful opportunities to provide input, including at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic makes this challenging. Please let us know if you have ideas for how we might work with you to bring your input into this process.
Stay tuned for additional workshops on the Community Benefits Program future workshops will be on:
Thursday, May 6, 2021 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
What is the Delta Conveyance Project?
The state is studying the potential impacts and benefits of two possible routes for a tunnel in the Delta, labeled the Delta Conveyance Project. The proposal aims to protect the reliability of the State Water Project to deliver clean water to homes, farms, and businesses in the Bay Area, Central Coast, and Southern California.
The project would catch fresh water in the northern Delta – especially during storms – through two new intakes near the town of Hood. A deep underground tunnel would carry that water 40 miles to the southern Delta where it would be pumped into the State Water Project. The project would be constructed over approximately 16 years.
DWR is currently studying potential impacts on traffic, noise, air quality, and historical, cultural, recreational, and other resources.
They have launched the Environmental Justice Community Survey to better understand how the project may affect the resources, values, and priorities that are most important you.
(See related articles here and here)
Read MoreDo you live in Contra Costa County District 5?
Hercules, Martinez, Pittsburg and portions of Pinole and Antioch as well the unincorporated communities of Alhambra Valley, Bay Point, Briones, Rodeo, Pacheco, Crockett, Tormey, Port Costa, Mt. View, Vine Hall, Reliez Valley, and Clyde.
We have a District 5 opening!
The Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County is dedicated to advancing the arts in a way that promotes communication, education, appreciation and collaboration throughout Contra Costa County so that we may grow creatively as a community that preserves and celebrates our diverse cultural expression.
The commission has 10 seats: five from each of the county’s Supervisorial Districts, four at-large and one alternate.
District Specific Seats:
Are recommended by the applicable District Supervisor and then approved by the Board of Supervisors.
What does a Commissioner do?
- Support the functions of the Commission.
- Give all meetings and other Commission activities a priority on their calendar.
- Serve on and chair Commission committees and events.
- Keep current with all facts and information upon which the Commission must base its collective opinions and decisions.
- Participate in strategic planning and implementation of arts programming.
- Be an ambassador and proponent of the arts and the Commission in Contra Costa County and engage people from all cultural and ethnic groups in the arts and in the work of the Commission.
For more information visit www.ac5.org.
Read MoreApril 15, 2021 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Online event
Join us as for a very special panel discussion with Pixar Animation Studios. Have you ever dreamed of working in animation or technology? Listen in as we discuss the highlights and challenges of being a woman in the business and get tips and advice from experts in their fields.
About the panelists: Jessica Tran is a Project Manager in the Tools Engineering department at Pixar. Emily Davis is a Feature Film Department Manager at Pixar. Becky Neiman Cobb is an Associate Producer at Pixar who has recently worked on the short film Bao and the feature film Onward.
Register with your email here. You will receive information on how to access the Zoom event on the day before the program. Closed captioning will be provided for this program.
Read MoreDetails the company’s extensive initiatives to positively impact their people, communities and planet
Their seven Contra Costa County store locations donated 696,281 total pounds of food to local distribution agencies via their food rescue program
By Kevin Buffalino, Raley’s Public Relations & Partnerships Manager
Raley’s, owners of 124 grocery stores, released their first-ever, annual Impact Report today, Wednesday, April 7, 2021, highlighting the organization’s actions in 2020 to support their purpose of changing the way the world eats, one plate at a time.
“Our first Impact Report exemplifies our team’s dedication to prioritizing purpose over profit and our commitment to serving multiple bottom lines,” said Keith Knopf, Raley’s President & CEO. “We are committed to being more than a grocery store, so it is both rewarding and humbling to see the progress we were able to make this past year to change the way the world eats and positively impact the communities we serve.”
“At Raley’s, we carefully balance purpose with profit and believe in serving multiple bottom lines,” he continued. “The success of our business relies on the vitality of the communities we serve.”
As detailed in the report, Raley’s efforts and initiatives in 2020 were aimed at nourishing their purpose, people, communities and the planet. Highlights of Raley’s inaugural Impact Report include:
Changing the Way We Eat:
- Opened the first Raley’s O-N-E Market, an acronym which stands for “organics, nutrition and education”, is a unique shopping destination focused on wellness education and offering a highly curated assortment of products that meet high standards of health, nutrition and sustainability.
- Continued outpacing the competition in sales of better-for-you items in categories such as clean label, grain free, non-GMO, keto, plant based, organic and nutrient dense.
Responding to COVID-19:
- Invested more than $60 million in enhanced safety protections.
- Hired and trained over 9,000 new team members.
- Provided more than $15 million to team members through appreciation pay and bonuses.
- Donated $200,000 to purchase devices and internet access to allow students in low-income districts to complete schoolwork at home.
Community Investment:
- Raised over $9 million, the equivalent of 6,482,118 meals, for 12 Feeding America aligned food banks through Raley’s Food For Families.
- Donated over $1 million in funds to causes and organizations to empower current and future generations to live healthier and happier lives.
- Issued $700,000 in Extra Credit grants to 48 schools and districts for programs that promote nutrition education, teach food literacy, address food insecurity, provide physical safety and directly impact students’ mental, emotional and physical well-being.
Sustainable and Responsible Operations:
- Diverted over 70% of all waste companywide from landfills.
- Donated 4.8 million pounds of food via Raley’s food rescue program.
- Continued commitment to and focus on ethical supply chain practices.
In addition to detailing the impact made throughout the past year, the report charts Raley’s course for the future by setting goals for 2021 and beyond. Raley’s intends to publish an Impact Report annually moving forward to transparently report progress toward these goals.
In Contra Costa County, Raley’s stores:
- Donated $22,064 to nonprofit organizations in Contra Costa County in 2020 through our charitable giving
- Raised $483,825 for the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano during our Annual Holiday Drive
- Raley’s Food For Families gave $1,395,483.54 to the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano in 2020
- Our seven Contra Costa County store locations donated 696,281 total pounds of food to local distribution agencies via our food rescue program
To learn more about Raley’s overall environmental, social and governance efforts and to download the full report, visit purpose.raleys.com.
About Raley’s
Raley’s is a privately-owned and family-operated customer experience grocery company headquartered in West Sacramento, CA. Raley’s stores are the destination for the best fresh products, affordable offerings and personalized service. The company’s commitment to infusing life with health and happiness by changing the way the world eats, one plate at a time, has made it a trusted source for food, nutrition, and wellness. Raley’s strives to enhance transparency and education in the food system in order to help customers make more informed, healthy food choices. Raley’s operates 124 stores under six banners: Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods, Raley’s O-N-E Market, Food Source and Market 5-ONE-5. Making healthier offerings accessible to everyone, Raley’s has expanded beyond the store to operate grocery curbside pick-up and delivery in their nearby communities. For more information visit www.raleys.com.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreTelecommunications personnel are crucial link
By Fran Clader, Director of Communications, California Highway Patrol
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Public safety dispatchers, often the first assistance people reach in an emergency, provide a crucial link between the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the public. In recognition of their service, the CHP joins other law enforcement agencies to recognize National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week on April 11-17, 2021.
California legislation enacted in 2020 reclassified public safety dispatchers as “first responders.” The new classification acknowledges their vital role in the state’s emergency response chain.
“As recognized first responders in California, our CHP public safety dispatchers and operators remain resilient in times of crisis,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said. “They are devoted professionals who provide the timely handling of all calls for services and are the lifeline between the public and emergency services.”
The CHP employs more than 700 dispatchers who provide critical services to communities throughout California. In 2020, these dispatchers who work out of one of the 24 CHP communications centers statewide handled more than 4.9 million 9-1-1 calls from the public.
In emergency situations, dispatchers must instantly determine the correct response to ensure the safety of all parties involved. They are also in constant communication with patrol officers, looking up license plates, driver license numbers, and running criminal record checks on wanted subjects.
Those interested in a rewarding career as a CHP public safety dispatcher are encouraged to apply for one of the more than 175 positions available statewide. Details are available at www.chp.ca.gov/chp-careers.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
Read MoreBrentwood man died from crash of stolen car during Antioch police chase, Walnut Creek man was killed in the West County jail
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
In accordance with the Contra Costa County Chiefs’ of Police Association Officer Involved Fatal Incident Protocol, Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston will hold an inquest into the death of 21-year-old Omar Jalal Harb of Brentwood. He died after crashing a stolen car he was driving during a police pursuit. This incident occurred on July 18, 2019 in Contra Costa County. (See related article)
That same day there will also be an inquest into the death of 72-year-old Enrique Camberos Pina of Walnut Creek. Arrested for child molestation, Pina was killed while in the West County Detention Facility in Richmond. This incident occurred on October 16, 2019 in Contra Costa County. (See related article)
Both proceedings will convene on April 16, 2021 at 8:30 AM at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse, 725 Court Street, Department 23, Room 200, Martinez, CA. The inquest for Harb will take place in the morning, while the one for Pina will happen in the afternoon.
The purpose of the inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving peace officers, is to present the facts of the incident to a jury for their deliberation and finding on the manner of death.
The inquest is open to the public and members of the media are invited to attend. However, no photographs or video may be taken during the proceedings.
The inquest will be held in-person. Face coverings are mandatory at the proceedings and state mandated social distancing guidelines will be followed.
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Station will replace facility in continuous use since late 1940s
By Steve Hill, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District
The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced the start of construction of and broke ground for the new Fire Station 86 in Bay Point during a ceremony on Friday, April 9. When complete the station will replace the existing facility on Willow Pass Road, which has been in continuous service since its construction in the late 1940s.
When completed, Fire Station 86 will enhance emergency service capabilities and better support District firefighters, allowing for better quality of life, health, training and community interaction. The station will be built to modern earthquake standards to ensure its availability for facilitating disaster preparedness and response, and its three oversized bays will accommodate large apparatus such as the District’s fire dozers, if needed.
“We are pleased to announce construction of our long-awaited Fire Station 86 in Bay Point, offering enhanced facilities to support emergency services to neighboring communities,” said Lewis T. Broschard III, fire chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “Today is the culmination of a project several decades in the planning that will soon provide a functional and long overdue modern fire station for our firefighters in Bay Point and the communities they serve.”
This fire station will serve Bay Point and the adjacent City of Pittsburg, areas that have experienced significant growth in recent years, and are expected to continue to do so. District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover who represents both communities attended Friday’s ceremony.
The station will house one engine company but will be capable of accommodating a second crew for Red Flag fire weather events or expansion of services in the future. The facility will comply with seismic standards as well as ADA requirements. It will provide fire protection for the community over the next fifty years and provide personnel with the systems and features found in modem fire stations.
The new Fire Station 86 will be a 10,800 square foot, single-story structure designed with cancer prevention in mind. It will include state-of-the-art gross decontamination showers, turnout extractors and modern systems for extraction of diesel exhaust particulates.
The design comprises three apparatus bays, a kitchen, seven firefighter dormitories, three restrooms, offices, training and exercise facilities, decontamination spaces, storage, day- and dining-rooms. The project also includes visitor parking, secured firefighter parking, an emergency power generator, an onsite fuel tank, and a photovoltaic roof system.
The project has been designed to meet LEED Silver equivalency per the County’s standard for public buildings.
The County Board of Supervisors, acting as the Fire Board of Directors, originally approved the design and bid documents on October 13, 2020. The same Board approved a construction contract with Overaa & Co. on Jan. 9, 2021 in the amount of $9,579,000. This project will be financed by lease revenue bonds, approved by the Board on December 15, 2020. The debt service for these bonds will be paid by a combination of revenue from development impact fees and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District general operating fund over a 20-year period.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Station 86, with elected officials from the County and District leadership making remarks and participating in a gold-shovel event, took place today at the construction site, 10 Goble Court, Bay Point.
About Con Fire — A recognized fire service leader – – Con Fire provides fire and emergency medical services to more than a million people across its 304 square-mile District area, and through mutual aid, in and around the 20 cities and unincorporated communities of Contra Costa County, California. With few exceptions, county emergency ambulance transport services are provided by Con Fire through its unique sub-contractor Alliance model across the District and beyond to include some 520 square miles of the county. In 2020, the District responded to nearly 75,000 fire and EMS emergencies and dispatched some 95,000 ambulances, providing expert medical care on more than 74,000 ambulance transports. The District, with 26 fire stations and more than 400 employees, is dedicated to preserving life, property, and the environment.
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