Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Rural Brentwood fire consumes house, outbuildings Tuesday afternoon

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By Allen Payton

At 4:13 pm Wednesday, April 20, 2021, all three of East Contra Costa Fire Protection District’s (ECCFPDs) engines were on scene of a fire involving a home and two outbuildings in the 10800 block of Brentwood Blvd.

Three quarters of the structure destroyed by fire, smoke and water damage to the remaining quarter. The outbuilding was fully engulfed in flames. The damage was estimated at $362,551.52 and the cause was probably electrical failure according to Battalion Chief Craig Auzenne.

A defensive stance was taken while protecting a propane tank, he reported. Water supply established by three water tenders in a shuttle. Crews were able to contain the fire to the main residence and two outbuildings. The Red Cross was notified to assist the resident. There were no injuries to either civilians or firefighters.

Drivers were asked to find an alternative route as the roadway was blocked off by crews working to extinguish the fire. High winds hampered the firefighters’ efforts.

Discovery Bay resident fined over $26,000 for illegal July 4th fireworks show

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Some of the fireworks seen in Discovery Bay on July 4, 2020.

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.

Construction completed, ribbon cut to open new Fire Station 70 in San Pablo

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Officials and firefighters joined Fire Chief Lewis T. Broschard (with scissors) for the ribbon cutting. Video screenshot.

Station set to replace temporary facilities in use since 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake

Front view of the new Station 70 in San Pablo. Photo: Con Fire

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.

Corner view of the new Station 70 in San Pablo. Photo: Con Fire

“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.

Con Fire, county officials break ground on new Fire Station 86 in Bay Point Friday

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Con Fire personnel prepare for the new Fire Station 86 ground breaking in Bay Point on Friday, April 9, 2021. Photo: Office of Supervisor Federal Glover.

Station will replace facility in continuous use since late 1940s

By Steve Hill, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

Station 86 rendering. Source: ConFire

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.

Con Fire training class interrupted to rescue kayaker in Pittsburg Monday

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ConFire boat crew training class at the Pittsburg waterfront on Monday, March 22, 2021. Source: Con Fire

By Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

On Monday, March 22, 2021, while boat crews were training on on IRBs (Inflatable Raft Boats). They noticed a kayaker had capsized and was unable to right his kayak due to in-climate weather and a strong current.

Thankfully, crews from RB281 and FB285 were able to respond quickly and rescue the kayaker and recover his kayak. The biggest takeaway is that the kayaker was not wearing a life vest. Please remember when going onto the water in any watercraft to always have enough life vest for you and any passengers.

Events like this are exactly why training like today occur. Kudos to our crews for being heads up and responding quickly.

 

Firefighter, paramedic injured in drive-by shooting in Antioch Saturday night, suspect from Stockton caught in Richmond

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Both first responders in stable condition with non-life-threatening wounds; ambulance and police car also struck by gunfire; incident under investigation

By Lt. John Fortner, Investigations Bureau, Antioch Police Department & Steve Hill, Public Information Officer, ConFire

On Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at approximately 8:51 PM, Antioch police officers were called to the 1900 block of Auto Center Drive on the report of a citizen requiring emergency medical attention. A fire engine from Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire Protection District (Con Fire), and an ambulance from Contra Costa American Medical Response (AMR) also responded to the medical call.

While tending to the patient in the parking lot near Auto Center Drive, a suspect in a silver SUV drove by the team of first responders and began shooting at the group. Afterwards, the suspect turned around and drove past the group again firing a second series of shots. A 31-year-old male Con Fire firefighter and a 58-year-old male AMR ambulance transport Alliance paramedic were caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting while responding to a serious medical emergency in Antioch Saturday night.

Shots were reported at 9:08 p.m. shortly after firefighters and paramedics arrived on scene. Both first responders and the original medical call patient were transported to local area hospitals at approximately 9:30 p.m.  The firefighter was shot in the foot and the paramedic was shot in the leg and their injuries were determined to be non-life threatening. An ambulance and a police car were also struck by gunfire.

Several Antioch officers gave chase onto Highway 4 as the suspect vehicle fled westbound towards the City of Pittsburg. The vehicle pursuit traveled through Contra Costa and Alameda Counties and ended in the City of Richmond after the suspect vehicle collided with a parked vehicle. The suspect attempted to flee from the scene of the collision, but he was quickly taken into custody by officers from Richmond PD and the California Highway Patrol. The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff Air Support Unit also provided critical assistance. A firearm was collected at the scene.

“Tonight’s senseless shootings are a vivid reminder of the very real dangers our first responders face, often side-by-side with our law enforcement partners, as they work to save lives across our communities,” said Lewis T. Broschard III, fire chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “We are grateful for the public outpouring of support for our wounded firefighter and AMR paramedic and for the work of law enforcement across the Bay Area to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice.”

“As representatives of our firefighters, and in support of the police and EMS personnel we respond with on a daily basis, we are grateful to report both first responders injured in tonight’s shooting incident are expected to make full recoveries,” said Vince Wells, president, United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County. “I would like to thank the members of the community of Antioch and beyond for your words of concern and support regarding those injured in tonight’s incident. We expect to learn more as the investigation uncovers more details regarding this incident.”

Antioch Police Department detectives with the Violent Crimes and Special Operations Units responded to the scene, along with crime scene investigators, and took over the investigation. The investigation is still active, and evidence is being collected and evaluated.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Antioch Police Department non-emergency line at (925) 778-2441, or Detective Brogdon at (925) 779-6895. You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the key word ANTIOCH.

Vehicle fire damages Pleasant Hill gas station Thursday night

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Photos: PHPD

By Pleasant Hill Police Department

Thursday night, Feb. 18, 2021 at about 10:45pm, Officers were sent to the Chevron Gas Station on Morello Avenue for a vehicle on fire. The fire destroyed the vehicle and damaged the gas pumps and overhang. Everyone got out safely.

The fire was likely caused by an electrical issue in the SUV and was put out by ConFire.

Con Fire investigators arrest 7 arson suspects in busy start to new year

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First 30+ days sees arrests in 8 separate incidents in Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek

By Steve Hill, PIO, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced today, the arrests of seven arson suspects, in eight separate cases, in just more than 30 days in January and early February.

Working with law enforcement partners in Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek, investigators from Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) investigated and arrested alleged perpetrators of eight separate, intentionally set fires that occurred in and around the county in January and early February.

“Quick work of our investigators in close coordination with law enforcement partners resulted in the identification of seven arsonists threatening our communities in January and February,” said Captain Ryan Graham, Supervisor, Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit. “Community involvement is critical to solving cases of arson and the residents of Contra Costa County can help protect us all by confidentially providing arson-related information to the Arson Tip line at 1-866-50-ARSON.”

Investigations continue in some of these cases with further charges expected to be filed. All the cases will be forwarded to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office requesting prosecution for arson charges.

Summaries of each of the 30-plus-day-period’s arson arrests follow in the attached fact sheet.

Con Fire’s FIU urges residents to help them fight the crime of arson across the county by calling the Arson Tip line at 1-866-50-ARSON. They caution residents not to hesitate on information that seems too little or unimportant to matter, adding some of the most valuable tips come from residents who were not aware what they saw was very important to the investigation of an incident.

At 1-866-50-ARSON, residents can leave a recorded message about fire-related criminal activity in English or Spanish. Tips can be anonymous, but all tips are treated confidentially. Fire investigators sometimes need additional information, so inclusion of name and phone number is encouraged.

 

Contra Costa fire agencies join forces with county Health Service to host vaccination clinics

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Along with other agencies gear up for ongoing series of weekly East, South and West County vaccination clinics; Week One sees 1,000 vaccinated at first two clinics

By Steve Hill, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

Fire agencies across Contra Costa County are collaborating to host the first of many new appointment-only public vaccination clinics for eligible county residents. The combined, multi-agency effort leverages fire EMS and support personnel, along with law enforcement and other agencies, to make a positive contribution to vaccine distribution across the county.

The first of the new fire-service-hosted clinics took place in the City of Hercules Feb. 1 and 2. The Hercules clinics will continue to be operated Mondays and Tuesdays, dependent on vaccine availability. Additional clinics will also be hosted weekly in both east and south county locations.

Current plans, which are subject to change, call for vaccine clinics to be held in east county on select Fridays and Saturdays at Los Medanos College in Brentwood. In south county, clinics are currently planned for select Wednesdays and Thursdays at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon.

The initial goal of the fire-hosted clinics is delivery of 500 vaccinations per day, with each designed to be scalable to 1,000 or more doses based on vaccine availability and Contra Costa County Health Services (CCHS) guidance.

Regardless of location, all vaccination clinics across the county are by appointment only; walk-up or drop-in vaccinations are not available. Eligibility is determined by CCHS and criteria can be reviewed, and appointments made on their vaccine website.

“As providers of emergency medical services across the county, our fire agencies are proud to be able to increase vaccine distribution in order to help further protect the communities we serve,” said Deputy Chief Aaron McAlister, fire rescue mutual aid coordinator for the operational area. “This multi-agency collaboration includes fire and law enforcement agencies, Contra Costa Health Services, community organizations and many volunteers.”

For more on eligibility, and to make an appointment online, visit www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/vaccine. For residents without internet access, the Contra Costa Health Services vaccination call center is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at 1-833-829-2626. Additional COVID-19 information is available at the CCHS multilingual call center at 1-844-729-8410.

Residents are urged not to call 911 or non-emergency dispatch numbers for vaccine clinic information and not to show up without an appointment as this will interfere with the vaccination process and potentially delay immunizations for the entire community.

Participating fire agencies include: Contra Costa County Fire, Crockett-Carquinez Fire, East Contra Costa Fire, El Cerrito Fire, Moraga-Orinda Fire, Pinole Fire, Richmond Fire, Rodeo- Hercules Fire, and San Ramon Valley Fire.

Law enforcement participants include the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and local police departments in Brentwood, Hercules and San Ramon.

In addition to fire and law agencies, Con Fire county ambulance transport Alliance partner AMR is supporting these clinics as are many volunteer organizations. Supporting volunteer groups include Contra Costa County Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and the Contra Costa County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC).

In Hercules, Valley Bible Church is making its facilities available as the clinic site there. Los Medanos College is making space available in Brentwood as is Bishop Ranch in San Ramon. These vaccination clinic locations, as well as many others, are listed and selectable in the Contra Costa Health Services online appointment-setting process or by calling the vaccination call center.

About Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (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. In 2019, the District responded to nearly 78,000 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.

Suspicious death of North Richmond man in Tuesday fire classified as a homicide

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff

The autopsy to determine the cause of death for Virillio Patino-Cruz whose body was found in a North Richmond house fire Tuesday, took place Wednesday. The cause of death of the 23-year-old North Richmond man is listed as carbon dioxide intoxication due to smoke inhalation. The Investigation Division has now classified the case as a homicide. (See related article)

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.