City of Gonzales
FIRE DEPARTMENT
ACTIVITY REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: May 15, 2023
FROM: Jason Muscio, Fire Chief
THROUGH: Trevin W. Barber, City Manager
SUBJECT: Fire Department Activity Report
RESPONSES
There were 68 calls for service during the month of April including several serious vehicle accidents and one vehicle fire. The remainder of calls were EMS related. The year- to-date total for calls is 250, which is about where we were last year at this time. There were two instances of simultaneous calls that required assistance from mutual aid companies.
STAFFING
There are two full-time vacancies that we are working to fill. We currently have an applicant in backgrounds to fill one of the vacancies and are recruiting applicants to fill the second. Firefighters Prader and Avina have been promoted to Lieutenant, replacing Lieutenants Monares and Achen who have both left the Department. Because we are operating with only two thirds of our authorized strength, overtime spending is high and will remain so until we can fill the Firefighter vacancies and properly train new staff. We currently have one active Volunteer Firefighter.
TRAINING
Crews trained in auto extrication techniques with crews from Monterey County Regional Chualar Station, in addition to regular training conducted at the shift level.
EQUIPMENT
All apparatus remains in service without the need for significant repairs. The Department took delivery of new Kevlar protective vests, and we are planning to donate our old vests to our Sister City.
AGENDA
ITEM
10 PREVENTION
Business and residential rental inspections continue to be conducted on a regular basis. We had two firehouse visits in April, one from the Kid Power Spring camp, and another from the TK and Kinder classes at La Gloria school. The Chief and on duty personnel were present at the GHS Career Day event, and the Día Del Niño Celebration at Central Park.
GRANTS
Grant opportunities continue to be explored as they become available.