City of Gonzales
FIRE DEPARTMENT
ACTIVITY REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: January 18, 2022
FROM: Jason Muscio, Fire Chief
THROUGH: René L. Mendez, City Manager
SUBJECT: Fire Department Activity Report
RESPONSES
There were 57 calls for service during the month of December for a grand total of 724 calls for calendar year 2021. Most responses continue to be for medical emergencies followed by vehicle accidents. In December, the Fire Department provided mutual aid to outside agencies 3 times for structure fires. We had one structure fire response in the City, and one in the rural fire district. Neither fire resulted in significant damage to the structure.
STAFFING
Staffing stands at four full-time, three Limited Term Firefighters, and four active Volunteers. A proposal to make the Limited Term Firefighter positions permanent will be brough before the City Council in January. One of the Limited Term Firefighters failed to meet the standards of his probation and has returned to volunteer status, another volunteer was moved into the vacant limited term position. There was a significant staffing challenge in the last days of December due to three of the full-time staff contracting COVID-19, and another out for the birth of his child; however, our remaining volunteer force worked with full time staff on overtime to maintain coverage.
TRAINING
Crews continue to train both at the company level with practical drills, and individually using online training systems. All limited term firefighters have begun cross training for fire engineer so they can be utilized as relief if needed. Fire Engineer Vasquez has begun the State Fire Marshal company officer course to obtain certification.
EQUIPMENT
AGENDA
ITEM
9 All apparatus remains in service without the need of significant repairs. All diesel-powered apparatus passed annual emissions testing.
PREVENTION
Fire and life safety inspections for businesses and residential rentals continue to be conducted. No CPR classes were taught during December; however, there was a visit to the Fire Station by a second-grade class from La Gloria School.
GRANTS
Grant opportunities continue to be researched and pursued as they become available.