Council to Hold Workshop on Pinole Fire Services

With one of the city's two fire stations closed and stagnant budget revenues, the Pinole City Council will hold another workshop Tuesday to consider how best to provide fire services.

Among the possibilities are contracting with the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District or the Contra Costa Fire Protection District. The city has been looking at alternatives to retaining an independent fire department for more than a year because of both potential cost savings and improved coverage in emergency response.

The Rodeo-Hercules district is facing the possibility of a brownout at one of its two firehouses. Pinole had browned out the Pinole Valley fire station 10 days per month in 2010, then July the Pinole council decided to fully close the valley station. That has left Pinole with only its downtown firehouse open.

Currently, Pinole and Rodeo-Hercules share a fire chief. They also currently coordinate with Contra Costa Fire in supplying a battalion chief on a rotating basis among the three departments.

Both Rodeo-Hercules and Contra Costa Fire have submitted contracts with Pinole for consolidation purposes. Rodeo-Hercules put forth a 10-year proposal, while Rodeo-Hercules proposed a five-year deal. Both call for the operation of one Pinole fire station and a minimum of three firefighters per shift.

If the council decides on consolidation, Pinole firefighters would become employees of the fire district with which the contract is signed. For the current fiscal year, Pinole firefighters are working with a labor contract that the council imposed after negotiations for a new contract failed last spring.

Pinole city staff are requesting that the council receive a report on Tuesday and then give direction to staff.

Pinole, El Cerrito and Richmond are the only Contra Costa County cities to have standalone fire departments.

Tuesday's council workshop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 2131 Pear St. It is open to the public.