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Cal Fire battalion chief reports call volumes, gear purchases and new hires for Atwater
Summary
Battalion Chief Josh Randall said year‑to‑date call volume in Atwater totals about 1,874 calls, reported Cal Fire third‑quarter billing of $553,157.98 charged to Measure B, noted extractors service ($4,697), and said a Type 6 apparatus is expected in service in mid‑2027 while four new Firefighter II positions are being added.
Battalion Chief Josh Randall gave the committee a quarterly update on fire operations, staffing and equipment purchases funded through Measure B and partner agreements.
Randall reported year‑to‑date call totals of roughly 1,874 calls across Atwater stations (Station 41: about 1,157 calls; Station 42: about 717 calls). He said four new Firefighter II positions will join the department to replace personnel who promoted or moved on, and that the Type 6 wildland apparatus under purchase is near completion with an estimated in‑service date in mid‑2027.
Randall also detailed equipment charges: Cal Fire third‑quarter billing of $553,157.98 was paid from Measure B; miscellaneous tools and equipment for the Type 6 (appliances, adapters, nozzles, hand tools) were purchased and some charges were still posting. Committee members asked about an MES extraction‑equipment service charge of $4,697 on 05/12; Randall explained extractors are high‑efficiency washing machines used to remove carcinogens and biological contaminants from turnout gear, and said NFPA requires removal of such contaminants.
The battalion chief said weed‑abatement inspections, multifamily annual inspections and public education (school MCI drills, station tours) are ongoing. He offered to provide details on vendor invoices if the committee requested them.
Ending: Committee members thanked Chief Randall; staff noted they would follow up on specific invoice questions and staffing documentation.
