Fire District Eyes Staffing Levels, Station Status

The Rodeo-Hercules Fire District budget, which includes vacant firefighter positions, seems to indicate the closing of the Rodeo fire station. But potential changes to the territory might dictate other staffing changes.

The Rodeo-Hercules Fire District board approved a budget earlier this month with staffing levels that presumed the closure of the Rodeo fire station. Seven firefighter positions are vacant, many of them as a result of recent retirements that have not been restaffed. The district employs 11 firefighters, the Contra Costa Times reported.

The district's staffing could change if negotiations succeed in providing fire protection for the city of Pinole. Under that proposal, Pinole would pay for its share or running joint operations. The contractual relationship would form, in effect, a joint fire district. Patch has a call in to Rodeo-Hercules Fire District officials seeking comment on the status of negotiations.

Meanwhile, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District submitted its own proposal to contract with Pinole for fire protection services. So far, the that it prefers the Rodeo-Hercules contract because it would cost less than the county fire district's plan.

The staffing discussions for Rodeo-Hercules hinge also on the outcome of an expected parcel tax that the county fire district would place on the November ballot. The county fire district has discussed the possibility of closing a third of its 28 stations if the voters reject the tax.

The tax would cost homeowners $75 a year.