City of Gonzales
FIRE DEPARTMENT
ACTIVITY REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: April 15, 2024
FROM: Jason Muscio, Fire Chief
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Fire Department Activity Report
RESPONSES
There were 51 calls for service during the month of March, bringing the total number of calls for the year to 210. There were 23 medical emergency calls, 4 vehicle accidents, 2 vehicle pedestrian accidents, 4 hazardous conditions, 1 service call, and 9 calls were cancelled in route. Both of the vehicle pedestrian accidents occurred on Belden Street, one resulting in moderate injuries and the other minor injuries.
FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS
March was the final shift for Captain Avina, Captains Vasquez and Prader are currently covering the shifts left open by Avina’s departure. Recruitment for career firefighters has begun and we have received 6 applications at the time of this report. The selection process will begin in early April with the goal of having the position filled by June 1. We currently have 2 active volunteer firefighters that continue to work shifts as their time allows.
TRAINING
Crews trained on wildland hose lays at the company level, as well pump and water flow operations and scene size up. Personnel are working on continuing education hours to recertify their EMT certifications.
PREVENTION
Eight annual business inspections were conducted during the month of March, and one inspection of farm labor housing was conducted in cooperation with the building department. Crews installed a smoke detector for a resident through our partnership with the Red Cross.
AGENDA
ITEM
11 GRANTS
Staff received notice that our Flood Emergency Response Plan upgrade will be funded through a grant from the California Department of Water Resources. This funding will provide for the purchase of an emergency mass notification system, and flood fighting materials and tools for the East side of the city.
Staff continues to work through the application process to secure the funds.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Crews took some time during their shifts to visit classrooms and read to second grade students at La Gloria school. Two groups of special needs adults visited the fire station for a station tour and to get to know our firefighters. The Fire Chief made a presentation on fall prevention for seniors to the participants of the chair yoga class held at the Vosti Center.