City of Gonzales
FIRE DEPARTMENT
ACTIVITY REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: April 17, 2023
FROM: Jason Muscio, Fire Chief
THROUGH: Trevin W. Barber, City Manager
SUBJECT: Fire Department Activity Report
RESPONSES
There were 66 calls for service during the month of March, and there has been 181 calls for service so far in 2023. Most of the calls for March were medical emergencies and general service calls. Our engine was requested mutual aid by Monterey County Regional Fire to assist with searching for occupants from a vehicle that was swept into the River near Chualar. Our crew was at scene approximately two hours assisting with the search and the occupants were later found safe at their residence. The Fire Chief spent several hours daily in the Fire District monitoring conditions and coordinating road closures with County Public works.
STAFFING
Current staffing is at 5 fulltime personnel. There is a vacant Lieutenant position that will be filled the first week in April by promoting one of our existing firefighters to Lieutenant. A recruitment for entry level Firefighter will begin the first week in April. We are preparing for the departure of another of our long time Lieutenants in the month of May. There are currently two active Volunteer Firefighters on the roster.
TRAINING
March training consisted of EMS updates, and rural water supply operations. Our crews conducted a joint exercise with the crew from Monterey County Regional in the use of portable tanks, pumps, and water tender shuttles. Crews were trained in updated EMS protocols and recertifications by the Medics for Life company. The Fire Chief has begun to assign incident management training to staff in an effort to establish our emergency operations center.
AGENDA
ITEM
9 EQUIPMENT
All apparatus remains in service without the need for significant repairs. New EMS related equipment has been ordered to keep pace with new protocols.
PREVENTION
Business and residential rental inspections continue to be performed on a regular basis. The Fire Department participated in the “EL SUSTO” event that was presented by Blue Zones and held at the high school Cafeteria. The event centered around diabetes awareness and management, the fire department gave demonstrations and checked blood glucose levels for the public.
GRANTS
The Fire Chief is working with California Consulting LLC in submitting a grant proposal to the Cal EOS Hazard mitigation Grant Program. If funded this grant will be used to purchase the necessary equipment to establish our emergency operations center.