West Coast 911

Could Riverside County form its own Department and end contract with Cal Fire?

Verenice — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:46:21 +0000

A recent grand jury report says Riverside County could save money by forming its own fire department and ending its contract with Cal Fire — a step San Bernardino County took 11 years ago. San Bernardino County fire officials say the split from the state fire department saved money and increased efficiency, but some Riverside [...]

Firefighters contain five-alarm Menlo Park blaze

Verenice — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:37:42 +0000

Firefighters battled a five-alarm fire Thursday night at a structure containing three townhouses at 15 Susan Gale Court in the Sharon Heights neighborhood of Menlo Park. The fire, reported at 5:11 p.m., looked to be contained by 7:15 p.m. More than 50 firefighters, including crews from Redwood City, Woodside, Palo Alto and San Mateo, as well as [...]

Rialto Fire Department to get pink slips and possible plans to close Station 202

Verenice — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:31:41 +0000

RIALTO – The Fire Department anticipates between six and 15 pink slips will be handed out some time within the next week. City Administrator Henry Garcia on Wednesday informed the department of the move, initiated in the face of a $4.8 million budget shortfall. “I think the economic forecast reflects that fire service agencies (across [...]

Off-duty San Bernardino County Firefighters help extinguish house fire

Verenice — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:18:18 +0000

SPRING VALLEY LAKE • Three off-duty firefighters helped an elderly man put out a fire that destroyed his kitchen around 12 a.m. Wednesday, officials said. The elderly man, whose identity has not been released, returned to his home late Tuesday to his smoke detector blaring and kitchen ablaze, said Tracey Martinez, spokeswoman for the San [...]

Redding man found dead after apartment fire

Verenice — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:09:30 +0000

A man in his 50s was found dead Sunday morning by firefighters who responded to calls that his north Redding apartment was ablaze. That fire, along with a small blaze that burned part of a restored historic bakery in Shasta State Historic Park, kept firefighters busy Saturday night and Sunday morning. Steve Scherban, 49, said [...]

Lodi Fire Staffing Impacts Response

Verenice — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:05:09 +0000

LODI, CA – Tuesday was a “brownout” day for the Lodi Fire Department. That meant because of budget issues, staffing wasn’t at 19 or even 16 firefighters. It was at 13. “It’s safe to say we’ve had fewer people that we’ve liked, that’s true,” said interim Fire Chief Kevin Donnelly. Unfortunately on Tuesday, a residential [...]