City of Gonzales
FIRE DEPARTMENT
ACTIVITY REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: November 20, 2023
FROM: Jason Muscio, Fire Chief
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Fire Department Activity Report
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
October was a busy month for the Fire Department with a total of 66 calls for service, and a year-to-date total of 631 calls. We responded to 42 EMS related calls including medical emergencies and vehicle accidents, 4 service calls to assist the elderly or residents with mobility issues, 4 false fire alarms, 12 calls which we were dispatched and cancelled, or no emergency was present, 1 hazardous materials incident, and 3 fires. The fires included a vegetation fire on River Road, a vehicle fire on Highway 101, and the fire in the wood chips at A&P Pallet Company on Iverson Road. This incident remains active and we are monitoring the situation as the property owner works on full extinguishment. We responded to 2 vehicle accidents that resulted in serious injuries in our jurisdiction, and several other vehicle injury accidents as part of our auto aid agreement with Monterey County Regional Fire.
DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS
There are currently no vacancies in our full-time staff. All positions have been filled. We currently have two active Volunteer Firefighters who continue to work night shifts as their schedules allow. Engine 8112 remains in service but is in need a repairs to the ladder rack; however, we cannot take Engine 8112 out of service to perform repairs because Engine 8111 is currently out of service due to problems with the air brakes and the siren control. Parts to repair both engines have been ordered and we will take each engine out of service individually as soon as we have the parts in hand.
PREVENTION
There were 15 business inspections conducted during the month, and 4 residential rental units were inspected. No serious violations were found. The crew from A shift performed a home safety survey for a local family which included checking the home for fire hazards and confirming the operation of the fire AGENDA
ITEM
10 sprinkler system. The Chief installed a smoke detector for a resident. The Chief also consulted with the Building Official regarding fire safety features and access for the Community Center. The Chief met with the Public Works Director and Supervisor regarding preparations for the winter storm season.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
A shift assisted the Recreation Department in setting up the screen for the outdoor Halloween movie at Centennial Park. The Chief and B shift assisted with the set up and cleanup for the downtown Fall Festival, and all Fire Department personnel participated in voting on the best Halloween decorations for the Kid Power Academy at the Vosti Center.