Congressman George Miller

Visits station 76

Congressman George Miller visited the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District's Station 76 in Hercules on April 10th. It was an opportunity for the Congressman and his aides to view the District's newest FEMA Grant acquisition -- Quint 76. The District's Chairperson Beth Bartke, CAP member Bill Fernando, Hercules City Councilmember Kris Valstad, and others, were on hand as the District's firefighters presented a tour of the new Quint. The 75' Quint Aerial Ladder Truck was primarily funded through an Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

APRIL VEHICLE EXTRICATION TRAINING

Kevin Kraus from L.N. Curtis & Sons provided company training for crews from Rodeo-Hercules Fire District, Pinole Fire Department and Contra-Costa County Fire Protection District. Rescue 42 and Jaws of Life were used to perform vehicle extrication and rescue drills

Join the CERT Program (Next Class SEPTEMBER 5, 2007 - First of Eight Sessions) - Class are free of charge.
CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. The purpose of the CERT Program is to improve community preparedness in the event of a disaster.

The CERT flyer can be downloaded here (Adobe .pdf).

DISTRICT RECEIVES DELIVERY OF QUINT

LADDER TRUCK

In 2005, the District received funding from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for a new 75' Quint Aerial Ladder Truck. Ninety Percent funding for the Truck was provided by the grant with the District providing the remaining 10% funding. The order to build the Truck was placed with Smeal Fire Apparatus in Snyder, Nebraska and the Truck was delivered in January of 2007.

2006 christmas coalition

Community members once again came together this Christmas to provide food and toys to those who needed a little helping hand this season. Groceries and turkeys were provided to prepare holiday meals as well as toys for the children. Donations of toys were also provided to neighboring programs. Letters to Santa were received from the local Post Offices and each letter was responded to with a small gift from Santa. The Christmas Coalition celebrated its 10th year!

nEW dIRECTOR ELECTED dECEMBER 2006

The Rodeo-Hercules Fire District welcomes its newly elected Board of Director, Mr. J. R. Stafford. Director Stafford is a Retired US Coast Guard Reserve Master Chief (E-9) with experience as an educator in the fire service. The Board welcomes Director Stafford and looks forward to working with him in the future.

DISTRICT OPEN HOUSE

The District held its Annual Open House at Station 76 in Hercules on Saturday, October 7th. The event was well attended. Neighboring agencies included Pinole Fire Department, Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services and Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department. Free bicycle helmets, hot dogs, popcorn balloons and literature were available. Thank you to all those who volunteered to make this event another success.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 - FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR AWARD
On Monday, September 11, 2006, the Hercules Rotary Club will honor Engineer Rick Perez as this year's Firefighter of the Year. Engineer Perez began his career with the District as a reserve firefighter in 1990 becoming a full-time paid firefighter in 1994. He is married with two daughters and one grandchild. The District congratulates Rick on receiving this honor.

NEW WILDLAND UNIT On May 18, 2006, the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District took delivery of a new Type III Wildland Unit. The unit was purchased from Hi-Tech EVS, Inc./American LaFrance of Northern California in Oakdale; funding provided by Hercules Developer Impact Fees. This apparatus is a 2006 International fully-enclosed, four-door wildland unit which will be used for wildland, structure fire and strike team responses.

HERCULES HIGH SCHOOL AUCTION DINNER
In April, the District hosted a dinner for the lucky winner of the Hercules High School Dinner With Firefighters Auction. Captain Steve Trotter, Engineer/Paramedic Chuck Coleman and Engineer Rick Clarine hosted dinner for six. Dinner guests enjoyed a tour of the station, a brief history of the fire department and good company. They also receive a ride on the engine! .

CHINESE FIRE OFFICIALS VISIT STATION 76 (April, 2006)

The District hosted a delegation of fire officials from the Chinese province of Zhe-jiang and the Fire Chief of Wenzhou, a city of about 500,000 people located 200 miles south of Shanghai. The visitors were shown the District's Live Fire Training Simulator, its Fire Safety House and a decontamination class conducted by the Contra Costa County Hazarous Materials Department. The visitors toured the Hercules Station and District staff answered questions about the differences in firefighting techniques and protocals between China and the U.S. Chief's Gary Boyles and Alan Biagi provided our guests with a tour of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District's Dispatch and Training Centers. The delegates were sponsored by the Chen family - owners of Panda's International Trading Company, an import-export company located in Hercules. The delegates will be visiting the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Hawaii before returning home to China.

RODEO-HERCULES FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT RECEIVES CONOCO-PHILLIPS DONATION (April, 2006)
The District has received a donation of $15,000 from the Conoco-Phillips Refinery to partially fund the Districts Rapid Intervention Crew program and the purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus masks and equipment

ANNOUNCEMENT

On February 21, 2006, at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors, Chairman Lopeman welcomed new Director Beth Bartke. Director Bartke will fill the unexpired term of Doug Ely, who officially resigned from the District in January. Director Bartke will serve as a member of the Board through 2008.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2005 - FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR AWARD
On Sunday, September 11, 2005, the Hercules Rotary Club honored eight members of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Department. The award was given to District's firefighters who have received their paramedic license. Firefighters Jonathan Bischoff, Jack Clapp, Bill Clark, Chuck Coleman, Orlando Conti, Joe Guadarrama, Skye Johnson and Brian Solidum were this year's recipients.

HURRICANE KATRINA AID
On September 2, 2005, four firefighters from the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District were dispatched to the New Orleans area helping with emergency relief operations under the auspices of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Chief Gary Boyles and Captain Steve Trotter left on Friday and Engineer Nick Ronchetto and Firefighter/Paramedic Skye Johnson followed on Saturday. After briefing in Atlanta the pairs of two will be deployed to the disaster zone. The four firefighters answered a FEMA request for full-time career firefghters to volunteer for a minimum 30-day commitment. The District also is preparing a list of volunteers who have completed the District's Community Emergency Response Training program. These volunteers will be deployed in the future to assist FEMA for a 2 week minimum commitment.

Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District Receives FEMA Grant #4 LADDER TRUCK ACQUISITION
On September 2, 2005, the Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program announced a $517,500 grant award to the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District for the purchase of a 'Quint' ladder truck. The ladder truck will be used throughout the Battalion 7 response area which includes Rodeo, Hercules, Crockett, Pinole and San Pablo. The total purchase price of the apparatus is $545,000, with the District's portion being $27,500. Per grant requirements, the apparatus is expected to be delivered within 12 months.

Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District Receives FEMA Grant #3 PUBLIC EDUCATION/SMOKE DETECTOR PROGRAM
The Rodeo-Hercules Fire District received a $21,402 grant from the Department of Homeland Security - Office for Domestic Preparedness. The grant funds will cover the purchase of 1000 smoke alarms and provide 200 hours of overtime for their installation. In addition, funds will be used to purchase fire safety education DVDs, videos and materials. These materials will be used in the District's 3rd grade school programs, open house and public safety fairs. The District's portion of the grant is $2,378. Residents of Rodeo and Hercules may contact the District Administrative Offices to make an appointment for smoke detector installations free of charge.

FIRE CHIEF FOR THE DAY
The Board of Directors honored Gerry Escalada, a member of the District's Community Advisory Panel, with the Fire Chief for the Day Award. The Board presented Gerry with a plaque at its regular Board of Directors meeting on July 19, 2005. The District's Board members expressed their appreciation to Gerry for his community service.

HERCULES FIRE STATION OPEN HOUSE
Hercules Fire Station held its annual Open House on October 8, 2005 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The District provided bicycle helmets to children under age 14 when accompanied by an adult. Free hot dogs, popcorn and balloons.

Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District Receives FEMA Grant #2 PUBLIC EDUCATION/FIRE PREVENTION TRAILER
The District has received a grant of $71,890 from the 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and has purchased a fire prevention trailer from Charmac Trailers. Also included was the purchase of "Freddy the Fire Truck". The grant which provides 90% or $64,701 will be supplemented by 10% funding or $7,189 from the District.The total cost of the prevention trailer is $64,886.Funding was also provided for a robotic 'Freddie' the fire engine and 'Pluggie' the fire hydrant. The Fire Prevention Trailer was displayed recently at the St. Patrick's Neighborhood Open House.

"BE SMART" DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CAMPAIGNS
We are pleased to announce that the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) has  launched a new disaster preparedness campaign. This new program, "Be Smart," is the first-of its kind statewide. California's First Lady Maria Shriver joined in launching California's new "Be Smart. Be Responsible. Be prepared. Get Ready" campaign in April 2005. Inspired by her personal desire and vision to encourage all Californians to be ready for disasters by taking the responsibility to prepare within their home and their community.
California residents are encouraged to visit the "Be Smart" web pages on the Office of Emergency Services website, which provides all statewide campaign information and links to partnering agencies.

Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District Receives Conoco-Phillips Donation (2005)
The District has received a donation of $15,000 from the Conoco-Phillips Refinery to partially fund the purchase of a new classrom to be located at Station 76 in Hercules. Representatives from Conoco-Phillips were on hand to present the check to Chief Boyles. The presentation ceremony was also attended by members of the District's Board of Directors and District firefighters. Conoco-Phillips continues to be an active supporter of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District.

Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District Receives FEMA Grant #1  
The District has received a grant of $217,000 from the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The award, part of $750 million being distributed to over 7,000 fire departments in 2003, was used by the District to purchase a live burn simulator trailer, similar to the one shown.. The total cost of the burn trailer is expected to be $240,000. The grant which provides 90% or $217,000 will be supplemented by 10% funding or $24,000 from the District.

Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District Receives Conoco-Phillips Donation (May 2004)
The District has received a donation of $15,000 from the Conoco-Phillips Refinery to partially fund the purchase of a new pickup truck. Representatives from Conoco-Phillips, including John Driscoll, Les Miller, Bill Tanner, Joe Burke and Lisa Lindsay were on hand to present the check to Chief Boyles. The presentation ceremony was also attended by members of the District's Board of Directors, District community advisory panel members and District firefighters. Conoco-Phillips continues to be an active supporter of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District.

Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District Receives FEMA Grant 
The District has received a grant of $216,000 from the 2003 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The award, part of $750 million being distributed to over 7,000 fire departments in 2003, will be used by the District to purchase a live burn simulator trailer, similar to the one shown from Ross Valley Fire District. The total cost of the burn trailer is expected to be $240,000. The grant which provides 90% or $216,000 will be supplemented by 10% funding or $24,000 from the District.

Battalion Chief Alan Biagi Receives 3rd Annual Firefighter of the Year Award (2004) 
On September 11, 2004, Alan Biagi was honored by the Hercules Rotary Club as its recipient of the Third Annual Firefighter of the Year Award.Chief Biagi began his career with the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District as a reserve in 1977 and became a full-time member in 1983. He rose through the ranks to become Battalion Chief in 1999. He also serves as the District's Fire Prevention Officer and Fire Marshall. Chief Biagi grew up in Crockett and has been a long time resident of Rodeo with his wife Trudie and son Christopher. He has served as a member of the Army Reserve for six years and enjoys restoring vintage automobiles on his off-duty time. The District is proud to honor Chief Biagi for his commitment to the community and to the residents of the District.

Captain Mark Mikovich Receives 2nd Annual Firefighter of the Year Award
The Rotary Club of Hercules hosted a dinner honoring the Second Annual Hercules Firefighter of the Year and Police Officer of the Year on September 11, 2003. The second recipient to receive this honor on behalf of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District is Captain Mark Mikovich. Commander Tom Muehleisen received the Police Officer of the Year Award on behalf of the Hercules Police Department. The District is proud to honor Captain Mikovich who began his career with the Fire District in 1987. He quickly moved through the ranks and became Captain in 1999. Captain Mikovich serves as the District's Emergency Medical Services Coordinator and is the District's instructor for community CPR and First-Aid courses. He also serves as the District's joint training officer with Contra Costa County Fire Protection District for emergency medical training and the medical instructor for the District's Community Emergency Response Training program. Captain Mikovich is active in the community participating in the Christmas Coalition, National Night Out and Bicycle Safety Fairs. He currently serves as the United Profesional Fire Fighters Local 1230 representative to the District. His wife Regina is a member of the District's Community Advisory Panel and daughter Jill is attending Davis Veterinary School.

75th Anniversary (June 2002)
The District hosted its 75th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, June 9, 2002 at Lefty Gomez Field. The event celebrated the dedication of the Rodeo Fire Station in 1927. The Parade began at 11:00 a.m. starting at First and Parker Streets and continued down Parker Avenue to Lefty Gomez Field. The Parade included a 1902 Steam Fire Engine pulled by a team of American Cream draft horses, fire equipment from neighboring departments included engines and pumpers from the 1920's and 1940's as well as today's high-tech engines. Dignataries included Congressman Miller, Senator Torlakson and Supervisor Gayle Uilkema. Past Fire Chiefs Lloyd Cooper and Art Cooper rode on the steamer. During the ceremony at Lefty Gomez Field after the parade, dignatories complimented firefighters on their training and dedication. Father Larry Young, the District's Chaplain, led a prayer and the ceremony concluded with the San Ramon Valley Fire District's Honor Guard retiring the colors and the Irish Heritage Bagpipe Band playing Amazing Grace as a tribute to those firefighters who lost their lives on September 11th. The event included free popcorn, cake, balloons and bicycle helmets. Firefighters demonstrated the Jaws of Life by cutting off the top of a vehicle, simulating a rescue situation. The District's Community Advisory Panel offerred Community Emergency Response Training sign-ups and held a raffle throughout the day. Long time Rodeo residents commented that Rodeo hasn't had an event like this since the old Bass Derby Days. The event was a success and great fun was had by all.

Additional pictures can be viewed in Photo Gallery 5.

Fire Chief (June 2001)
Gary E. Boyles, a 27-year veteran of San Bernardino County Fire Department, has been appointed Chief/Administrator of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District. Boyles began employment with the District on June 18th , following the retirement of incumbent Chief Dennis Salmi.

The press release can be downloaded here (Adobe .pdf)

New Engine (November 2000)
Rodeo Hercules Fire Protection District took delivery of a new Spartan Gladiator Type one engine on Nov 14, 2000. The fire engine was built by Hi Tech Fire Apparatus out of Oakdale, California. Some features include: a 435 horsepower Detroit diesel; 5-speed automatic transmission; six-man fully enclosed cab; Hale 2000 gallons/minute pump; a 600 gallon water tank; and a Foam Pro Class "A" and Class "B" foam system. The engine will carry 1200 feet of 5 inch hose and 1000 feet of 3 inch hose. It will carry a full complement of medical equipment, along with an automatic defibrillator. With the blessings of the Board of Directors and the Fire Chief, the color of the new engine will be red for the first time in 33 years!