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Ross Valley Fire chief outlines recruitment push, explorer graduations and recent incidents
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Summary
Chief Mahoney told the board the district will post firefighter-paramedic and wildfire preparedness coordinator recruitments May 1, highlighted seven explorers who graduated a five-day academy, and reviewed a March 16 detached garage fire in Ross (no injuries) and a bicyclist medical fatality in Fairfax.
Chief Mahoney reported to the Ross Valley Fire District board that the department plans to post recruitments on May 1 for a firefighter-paramedic position and a wildfire preparedness coordinator and is working on outreach materials for those openings. "We are planning on posting a firefighter paramedic recruitment and a wildfire preparedness coordinator recruitment starting May 1," he said, and added the district currently has four vacant firefighter-paramedic positions and one wildfire preparedness position.
Mahoney said the department hopes to fill at least three of the four firefighter-paramedic vacancies and noted a new firefighter started April 1. "We have, 4 vacant firefighter paramedic positions and, as I mentioned, 1 wildfire preparedness position... We can fill at least 3 of those 4 positions," he said.
He also reported on youth development: the district's explorer post — seven explorers supported by three or four full-time staff — attended a five-day California Fire Explorer Academy hosted in Las Vegas and all seven explorers graduated. "All of the explorers ended up graduating the academy," Mahoney said.
On incidents, Mahoney reviewed a March 16 detached garage fire in Ross. Engines from Ross Valley Fire Department, Kentfield, Central Marin, Marin County Fire and San Rafael Fire Department responded; Mahoney said the fire was contained to the garage, there were no injuries, and the Ross Valley Fire Prevention Bureau led the investigation with Marin County Fire Investigation as backup. "The fire was contained to only the garage... there were no injuries," he said.
Mahoney also described a medical emergency involving a bicyclist on the Serpentine Trail in Zone 21 (Fairfax). Bystanders administered CPR before crews arrived; because of the distance to hospital a medical helicopter was called. "Unfortunately, the patient succumbed to their... which is most likely a heart attack," Mahoney said. He characterized the response as collaborative between engine companies, battalion staff and bystanders.
During follow-up questions, a board member asked whether a recent vehicle fire in Fairfax involved an electric vehicle. Mahoney said he was not aware of an EV in that instance and clarified there had been a vehicle fire off Alima Road that damaged a small, nonresidential structure and was contained quickly, with no injuries. The chief also acknowledged the department responds to a variety of bicycle and pedestrian incidents and that some recent cases were first-aid-only.
The chief opened his report for questions and, after a short exchange, the board moved on to the consent agenda.
