Contra Costa Herald

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

ConFire offers advice for Contra Costa residents during severe fire weather

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Contra Costa County Very High Fire Threat Zones. Graphic: ConFire

THIS IS NOT AN EVACUATION ORDER. There are NO active evacuations in Contra Costa County at this time for the upcoming wind-driven fire weather event occurring beginning today and extending into Monday and Tuesday.

However, you may want to consider relocating ahead of this event. If you are uncomfortable in your home given this fire weather event, and you have somewhere to go that is not in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone or area susceptible to wildland fire (see map below and at http://bit.ly/CCCVeryHighFireZoneMap for details), you should consider relocating this afternoon. Relocation could be to a hotel or the residence of a friend or family member in an area outside of the local area being affected by the forecast fire weather.

All of Contra Costa County is under an NWS Red Flag Warning from Sunday evening through Monday morning. Additional fire weather and gusty winds are expected to affect our entire area Monday through Tuesday morning.

The fire weather we are forecast to experience will be significant. Any fire that starts will likely spread quickly.

Residents living in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, areas of the wildland-urban interface, or areas with narrow streets and limited evacuation routes should ensure the following:

  • Your cell phones are fully charged and notifications are enabled
  • Your cell and home phones are all registered with the Community Warning System at www.cwsalerts.com – there is still time to do this
  • Your car is parked facing out of your driveway
  • You have determined alternate evacuation routes from your home to a safe area outside of the hills
  • You have a plan — you are prepared and ready to go as soon as receiving an official evacuation order

During the fire season, and particularly in this time of heightened fire weather, you need to have a plan to evacuate in the event of a fire. Do not hesitate if you are instructed to evacuate by law enforcement, the fire department, or receive a CWS notification or order to evacuate.

For information on protecting your family, home and neighbors from wildfire – including how to plan for evacuation – read and download our Residents Guide to Wildfire Preparation and Evacuation at www.cccfpd.org.

Communities and hillside portions of El Sobrante and San Pablo, Kensington, East Richmond Heights, the El Cerrito Hills and the west hills of the City of Richmond:

Winds are expected to peak between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Monday morning with gusts of approximately 47 mph and sustained winds of 31 mph. These significant gusty winds and elevated sustained winds are forecast from 5 p.m. Sunday through Monday morning. Relative humidity is expected to fall to very low levels further increasing risk in these areas.

Martinez (west of Berrellesa Street) and Lafayette (north of Highway 24)

Conditions similar to those for West County above are expected to impact other Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.

THIS IS NOT AN EVACUATION ORDER. IF AN EVACUATION IS ORDERED NOTIFICATIONS WILL BE SENT THROUGH THE COMMUNITY WARNING SYSTEM (CWS).

We want you to be as prepared as possible given the severity of the forecast fire weather; we want all residents to have ample time to prepare.

 

President Trump approves major disaster declaration for California to help wildfire victims

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Includes grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, more

WASHINGTON – Oct. 16, 2020 – 9:20 PM EST – FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of California to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from Sept. 4 and continuing.

The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, San Bernardino, San Diego and Siskiyou counties.  Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to the state, tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures in Fresno, Los Angeles, Madera, Mendocino, San Bernardino, San Diego and Siskiyou counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

Willie G. Nunn has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621- 3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY

Brentwood Vice Mayor, former Fire Board President Joel Bryant supports consolidation of East Contra Costa Fire with ConFire, re-opening two stations without a tax increase

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“This is an opportunity to provide the people of Brentwood and Far East County with the fire service we need and deserve.” – Joel Bryant

Brentwood, CA – Oct. 16, 2020 – Today, in his ad in the Brentwood Press, Brentwood Vice Mayor Joel Bryant, the former President of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Board of Directors, announced his support for the consolidation of the ECCFPD with Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire District (ConFire). The proposal would provide the staffing necessary for the re-opening of two fire stations in the district, with at least one in Brentwood, to help get to the additional three stations that are needed, now.

For Bryant to support it, however, the proposal must be achieved without a tax increase to the residents of Brentwood or the rest of those in both fire districts. It must also provide better pay and benefits to the men and women firefighters of the ECCFPD.

“This is an opportunity to provide the people of Brentwood and Far East County with the fire service we need and deserve,” Bryant said. “The two districts already provide mutual aid to each other, mainly with fire stations and personnel in Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay and Antioch.”

Following is Bryant’s complete statement on the proposal:

“I am currently working with Chief Brian Helmick and Board President Brian Oftedal of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, to finalize a permanent solution which provides sustainable fire protection and medical response for not only the families and businesses in Brentwood, but for the entire fire district that we are a part of.

At this time, ConFire is conducting a feasibility study regarding the possibility of consolidating both departments. In order for this to be a successful remedy the merger would need to include significant additional resources, such as:

  • At least two additional staffed fire houses, immediately.
  • Advanced life support available as part of normal operations.
  • Bringing the salaries and benefits of our firefighters in ECCFPD equal to that of ConFire personnel.

The consolidation would, of course bring additional vehicle resources as part of the normal operations, such as a ladder truck, helicopter, and fire boat, to cover the areas that are currently vulnerable.

The goal is to accomplish this without the need to raise additional revenue, such as a local tax, by the residents.”

“I completely support this effort and appreciate the opportunity to work with both Chief Helmick and ConFire Chief Lewis Broschard, the ECCFPD Fire Board, as well as the Board of Supervisors in their diligent efforts to accomplish this goal,” Bryant added.

Joel Bryant has served on the Brentwood City Council for 10 years, 7 of them as Vice Mayor, elected by his fellow councilmembers. He has the support of the East Contra Costa firefighters.

News photographer, videographer shares heartbreaking story of young homeless woman living in tunnel below Highway 4 in Pittsburg

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Homeless woman walking barefoot, with firefighters who were there to extinguish the fire in the tunnel beneath Hwy 4. Photos by Art Ray.

Firefighters extinguish fire in tunnel where she’s been living.

By Art Ray

It’s starting to get cooler at night if you have a place to sleep, you can thank God.

I responded to. a working fire in the underpass beneath Highway 4 at Century Blvd. in Pittsburg. When I got there, I saw a young, homeless woman, and I do mean young. She was laying down on a nasty mattress behind some metal bars. The arriving firemen grabbed a saw and cut the gate open so they could put a hose on the fire.

What got me was that the young woman remained on the mattress with smoke pouring out of the tunnel. She didn’t have the capacity to get away from the smoke or fire. Finally, she walked out of the tunnel bare foot stepping on glass, rocks and all kinds of dangerous things. As she passed by me, I asked “where are your shoes?” to which she replied she didn’t have any.

The point of this story is not that I went and got her a pair of shoes from the store but that she has some demons that has her early, 20-year-old self, homeless and living under a highway. She didn’t even have the mental capacity to follow my directions and to walk the one block down to the store to meet me to get the new shoes.

Homeless woman painting her lighter with nail polish, the mattress where she slept surrounded by garbage in the tunnel, and a firefighter at the gated entrance to one side of the tunnel below Hwy 4. Photos by Art Ray.

I had to go driving around to find her. When I did find her, she was sitting on the ground painting a cigarette lighter with fingernail polish. When I walked up to her with the shoe bag she never even looked up to me when I gave her the new blue shoes she was fixated on the nail polish and lighter. That’s when I realized that’s there are bigger issues than being homeless. There are thousands of homeless people that are not thinking straight.

After dropping off the shoes I went to meet with the county’s homeless advocate to see if they could help the young sister. He told me he would leave his office and go find her as soon as he got done checking in another homeless person into the newly opened homeless residence the state just bought from Motel 6.

I’m saying all of this to encourage everyone to find a way they can help another human being instead of just complaining about the homeless problem.

Most police departments and counties have resources you can plug into. Maybe you have a warm coat or shoes you don’t wear anymore. Be a part of the homeless solution not a person that finds pleasure in complaining about the homeless. Trust this. Many of the homeless have issues they are battling in their heads. It’s getting cold out. Are you willing to find a way to get involved? Perhaps it’s through your church. Like they say, it takes a village. We are all our brother’s, or in this case, our sister’s keeper.

This is a story that I needed to photograph and tell. I included a picture of the nasty mattress in the filth someone’s daughter or sister was laying on when I arrived. Notice I didn’t include her face so she could retain some kind of dignity.

Art Ray is owner of Bay News Video providing video footage to Bay Area news stations and online media.

East Contra Costa firefighters endorse Joel Bryant for Mayor of Brentwood

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ECCFPD Battalion Chief Gil Guerrero, Vice President, United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230.

Brentwood Vice Mayor Joel Bryant. Photo: Bryant for Mayor campaign.

Brentwood Vice Mayor Joel Bryant announced, Wednesday he has received the backing of the firefighters of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District in his race for Mayor of Brentwood.

“When it comes to fire service Joel Bryant has demonstrated great leadership through difficult times, as president of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board of Directors,” said ECCFPD Battalion Chief Gil Guerrero, Vice President of the United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230. “We’ve been working with Joel since he started serving on the Board and he’s made the right decisions for the benefit of the residents. His experience will benefit the families of Brentwood. We fully endorse and support Joel Bryant for Mayor.”

Bryant responded to the support by thanking the firefighters.

“I greatly appreciate the support of the men and women firefighters of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, who put their lives on the line to protect our residents and businesses, every day,” he said. “It’s been an honor to work with them through the years as a member and president of the fire board. I will continue to work with our firefighters and the residents of Brentwood to ensure we have the fire service we need, including at least one more fire station in our city.”

Bryant has served on the Brentwood City Council since 2010 and for seven of those years he was elected by his fellow council members to serve as Vice Mayor. For more information visit his website at www.Bryant4Brentwood.com or email him at joel@bryant4brentwood.com.

Bay Area church with Contra Costa members sends thank you messages to firefighters, encourages others to do the same

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Photos courtesy of San Francisco Zion Church.

By Greg Bernard

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak that has devastated communities around the world, churches and religious institutions have had to shut their doors and services for several months. Congregants have been unable to gather together to fellowship or worship, leaving members feeling isolated and disconnected from their community.

But one church has found that the best way to re-engage members is to get them involved in giving back. San Francisco Zion Church, a Christian church that serves the Bay Area, held a letter-writing campaign for the firefighters of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area this past weekend. Members who participated in the letter-writing campaign hailed from cities and counties across the Bay Area and Northern California: from Contra Costa, Solano, Alameda, San Francisco, and as far as Sacramento.

Local church members and their children wrote cards for the brave men and women who have been fighting the State’s worst wildfires in over a century. Some of these heartwarming letters found their way to Contra Costa’s Fire Departments. The words of encouragement were warmly received, with some firefighters commenting that it was the first public appreciation they’ve gotten for their service in the fires.

Their next major volunteer campaign will be in collaboration with the Red Cross. According to the World Health Organization, blood donations have been in short supply since the beginning of the pandemic. As a result, San Francisco Zion Church resolved to partner with the Red Cross to host a series of blood drives. The first of these drives will begin in November.

“We’ve received over 30 recognitions from local businesses and neighboring cities in the Bay Area in the past few years for our volunteering,” says Adam, a resident of Antioch and member of San Francisco Zion Church. “Next week, we’re raising support for the families affected by the fires and reaching out to the elderly who suffer the most when they are socially isolated from their family members. With everything that’s going on right now, there’s so much need for volunteers.”
For the past five years, San Francisco Zion Church has been active in volunteering and helping people throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Members of the church hope that their volunteerism and donation drives will encourage other churches and organizations in the area to gather together and contribute.

Frazier to introduce bill to combat major cause of greenhouse gas emissions in California – wildfires

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Challenges CA Air Resources Board to “pause and think” about effectiveness of Cap and Trade program

Assemblyman Jim Frazier

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Fairfield) announced today that he plans to introduce legislation in the upcoming session to fundamentally change the way California reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

  “While I believe the work the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has been doing is laudable, we need to shift gears and address the main cause of carbon emissions in California, and right now, that is unquestionably wildfires,” said Frazier. “The data is undeniable and staggering.”

  According the U.S. Geological Survey, in 2018 alone, the wildfires in California were estimated to have released emissions equivalent to roughly 68 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. By contrast, after seven years of reduction efforts from Cap and Trade funded projects to date, is estimated to be 45 million metric tons – at the cost of billions of dollars.

  Frazier went on to say that he believes CARB needs to “pause and think” carefully about their programs and overall efficacy of the resources devoted to them, and reprioritize Cap and Trade dollars to address the immediate threat and environmental devastation that wildfires are causing. In addition to the further advancement of global warming, these fires result in property damage, loss of life, economic peril, and long-term health issues.

  “The science and statistics of the devastation that wildfires are causing are not just limited to the land. These fires are pumping more pollution – far more toxic – than the burning of fossil fuels, and we must take a critical look at how we dedicate our precious financial resources to their reduction.  As we know, wildfires are a major contributor to the advancement of global warming.”

  Frazier will introduce a bill this December.

ECCFPD Fire Chief Brian Helmick is going Facebook Live beginning Monday night

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ECCFPD Fire Chief Brian Helmick. Screenshot of YouTube video.

By Steve Aubert, Fire Marshal/PIO, ECCFPD

Brentwood, CA — East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD), the local fire agency serving Brentwood and Oakley Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Byron, Marsh Creek, and Morgan Territory. Fire season is well underway with multiple fires occurring within the District since June. Join Fire Chief Brian Helmick for our first Facebook Live event sharing key videos from our “We Are Listening” initiative and offering a question and answer session.

Our first event is scheduled for July 27, 2020 beginning at 6:00 P.M. Please login into Facebook.com/EastContraCostaFireProtectionDistrict for this great opportunity directly with the Chief.

Future events scheduled for August 3, 10, 18, 25 and September 14.

Learn more at www.eccfpd.org.

ABOUT THE EAST CONTRA COSTA FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT:

The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) 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).

Con Fire graduates Fire Recruit Academy 55, adds 5 Probationary Firefighter-Paramedics to ranks

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Con Fire Academy 55 Crucible Conclusion, Eagle Peak July 16, 2020. Photo by ConFire.

New Probies first to graduate under pandemic conditions

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

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced Friday the graduation of its Fire Recruit Academy 55 and the addition of five new probationary firefighter-paramedics to the District’s ranks.

The already experienced firefighter joined Con Fire three months ago from their assignments at other well-respected fire jurisdictions. As firefighter-paramedics, they now join and bolster the District’s paramedic ranks supporting its Advanced Life Support (ALS) status with paramedic staffing on every apparatus.

Academy 55 was the first in Con Fire to be conducted entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in significant challenges related to requirements for social distancing, health monitoring and protective equipment.

“I’m especially pleased to welcome this accomplished group of five new firefighter-paramedics who chose to join Con Fire from assignments in other fire jurisdictions,” said Lewis T. Broschard III, fire chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “After their just-completed rigorous fire recruit academy training program they are exceptionally well prepared to step into new roles later next week as probationary firefighter-paramedics in fire stations across our District.”

“As members of this lateral academy, we sought out Con Fire because we wanted more, we wanted to be the best,” said Probationary Firefighter-Paramedic Matthew Pagan. “We have worked hard, trained hard and studied hard to get to today and that is why we came to Con Fire; we wanted tougher, we wanted stronger and we wanted it to be challenging.”

The graduating recruits underwent a physically and mentally challenging 12-week course of instruction using the latest firefighting and training techniques. In addition to basic structure firefighting techniques, recruits honed wildland fire, rescue, automobile extrication, hazardous materials and other techniques they can be expected to put to use in their first assignments.

Immediately prior to graduation, the recruits participated in the traditional end-of-academy “crucible” exercise, a realistic 48-hour period designed to replicate what they will soon face in actual shifts In their assignments as Con Fire probationary firefighters. The crucible exercise included numerous simulated incident responses and concluded with deployment to a training wildfire fire atop Mt. Diablo’s Eagle Peak, which required a six-plus mile hike in full wildland fire gear.

The graduation ceremony was virtual except for a limited number of family members and was held at Con Fire’s training grounds in Concord. Each graduate was “pinned” with their firefighter badge and sworn in as a probationary firefighter-paramedic.

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.

East Contra Costa Fire district announces the passing of Oakley Volunteer Fire Captain Mark Ayers

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30-year career serving East County

By Steve Aubert, Fire Marshall, Public Information Officer, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District

The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District is sad to announce the passing of retired Oakley and East Contra Costa Volunteer Fire Captain Mark Ayers.

Mark began serving the community of Oakley in March of 1978 as a volunteer firefighter with the Oakley Fire Protection District. For the next 30 years, he continued to make his community a safer place until his retirement in 2008 at the rank of Captain from the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District. Mark had a great impact on many firefighters as he took on the role of Oakley’s Training Captain. His influence lives on in the lessons and mentorship of his firefighters, many whom still work in the fire service.

Mark was 64 years old.

We would like to offer our condolences to the Ayers family and to thank them for sharing Mark with us. His legacy will continue to be with us.

The Ayers family would like to request donations be given in lieu of flowers to a Veterans Organization of your choice.

A Celebration of Life is planned to be held in Oakley. Details will be released when available.

Mark James Ayers

October 7, 1955-July 1, 2020

Obituary

Mark James Ayers was born in Antioch, CA on October 7, 1955 and remained a resident of Oakley until 2016. He passed the afternoon of July 1, 2020 at his Sacramento home with his family by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver “Bill” and Doris “Dorie” Ayers and his brother, Richard “Rick” Ayers. Mark is survived by his wife Lorraine “Rainy” (nee Senna), his daughter Devon Gambonini (Dan), stepson James Niccolson (Crystal), grandson Logan, and granddaughters Audrey and Abby. Mark was also “Papa Mark” to Joel Myers Jr. and Jake Myers.

Mark attended Liberty High School where he played drums as a part of the marching band. After his 1973 graduation, he went on to earn his Associates Degree in Fire Science at Los Medanos in Pittsburg, CA after which he joined KMART and JC Penney’s in Antioch, CA as the head of their Loss Prevention teams. Mark officially joined the Oakley Fire Department as a volunteer in March 1978 where he remained until 2008 retiring with the rank of Captain. DOW Chemical hired Mark in June 1986 and he climbed the ranks until June 2016 when he retired in his final position as Fire Chief. During his longstanding career in the fire service, Mark served as a mentor for many firefighters, including his nephew Michael as well as his daughter.

In his younger years, Mark enjoyed hunting, fishing, and competing in fire musters. Mark was handy and could fix just about anything that needed fixing. After years of being a motorcycle fan and to increase his personal joy and fulfillment, Mark traded in his Honda for a brand-new Harley Davidson. This decision led to him joining and becoming a lifetime member of the Iron Warriors Motorcycle Club, which is comprised of law enforcement and fire service personnel. During his time in the Club, Mark enjoyed a steadfast brotherhood and comradery. He was affectionately known by his Brothers as “Wilbur,” which dates to Mark’s one and only cycle accident on the street bearing the same name.

As much as Mark loved the fire department and motorcycle club, Mark’s true and deepest passion was his family. His biggest source of pride was his daughter and his grandchildren. Mark’s boisterous laugh and wicked sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him.

Mark’s final wish was not to have a funeral service, but rather a celebration of life or a “big ass party” as he preferred to laugh until you cry.

Although not a veteran himself, Mark spent time visiting with residents of the Veterans Home of California, Yountville and the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be shared with a Veteran’s association of your choosing.