Fire Chief Discusses Stations, Consolidation

The Rodeo-Hercules Fire District has a budget that is nearly balanced, and it is based on operating one fire station, Chief Charles Hanley stated in an email to Patch. But a merger with the Pinole Fire Department could allow operation of another station, he said.

Staffing levels in the budget presume the closure of the Rodeo fire station.

The Pinole Fire Department has a 2012-13 budget that is flat over last year, said Hanley, who also serves as chief of the Pinole department.

The Pinole Fire Department is having discussions with two entities about consolidation of fire services — the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

"Both agencies (RHFD and Pinole) are funded for a one (1) fire station model," Hanley said. "We continue to look at efficiencies; however, most of those are exhausted and nearly every program has been eliminated with the exception of operations which has effectively been reduced by 50 percent

"If the City of Pinole were to contract with the Fire District for fire protection, we proposed a three fire station model. We are also awaiting the awards from the FEMA SAFER grant (2011), which are posted every Friday until the appropriation is exhausted. If we are successful we would be able to reopen one (1) or more fire stations. If not, we intend to reapply."