As many of you know, the Fire Department has been very busy this fire season with mutual aid requests. The following is a list of the responses the Department has responded to since August 1st:

• On August 17th, Captain Kevin Janes was dispatched to the American Fire in Placer County. Kevin was assigned to California Incident Management Team 4 as a Communication Manager, responsible for the communications for this incident. Kevin spent 15 days on this assignment.
• On August 20th, Battalion Chief Dave Gibson was dispatched to the RIM Fire in Stanislaus National Forest as a Strike Team Leader in command of five engine companies from Contra Costa County. Dave spent 14 days on this assignment.
• On August 20th, Engine 372 was also dispatched to the RIM Fire with four personnel. During their assignment, they encountered extreme fire conditions and were assigned to 24 hour shifts. Engine 372 spent 14 days on this assignment and the Department cycled eight different members during this time period.
• On August 21st, OES 300 was also dispatched to the RIM fire with four personnel. During their assignment, they completed structure protection and were assigned to 12 hour shifts. OES 300 spent 12 days on this assignment and the Department also cycled eight different members during this time period.
• On September 8th, Battalion Chief Michael Bond, Battalion Chief Dave Gibson and Captain Kevin Janes were all dispatched at the same time to the Morgan Fire, here in Contra Costa County. Batt. Chief Gibson was assigned as the Incident Commander, Batt Chief Bond was assigned as the Logistics Chief and Captain Janes was assigned as a Communications Technician. Chiefs Bond and Gibson remained on scene until September 9 at 8:00 p.m. when they were relieved by the CalFire Incident Management Team. Captain Janes remained on scene until September 12.
• On September 9th, Engine 372 was dispatched to the Morgan Fire with four personnel. During their assignment, they completed mop up in the area where the fire had burned. Engine 372 was assigned to 24 hour shifts and was released from the incident on September 12.

I am happy to report that during all of these responses, personnel of the Fire Department encountered no injuries and no equipment was lost or damaged. It also should be noted that while personnel assisted others throughout the State, our City was backfilled with firefighters who came back to work to ensure our community was protected.