All About Pets Special Edition
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YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS | SERVING EAST COUNTY
Vol. 22, No. 25
June 19, 2020
Fire district to limit response to fires by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
REGIONAL Fire Chief Brian Helmick announced that, due to long-standing funding constraints, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) firefighters will no longer enter burning buildings to extinguish a fire unless lives are at risk. “Moving forward, all of our engines’ operations, residential-, commercial- and industrial-type fires, our members are taking what is called a defensive stance as they approach all those fires,” Helmick said. “This is a resource issue.” A defensive strategy involves fighting a fire from outside a burning structure and moving inside slowly and deliberately. An offensive strategy involves sending a team or multiple
teams of firefighters into a burning structure to attack the fire at its source. Offensive attacks carry more risk and require more resources, but they can also extinguish a fire more quickly. Revealed during the June 9 ECCFPD Fire Board meeting, Helmick called the policy change the most difficult decision he’s had to make during his tenure as fire chief. He said the decision stems from a number of operational challenges all resulting from insufficient district funding, a problem that has its origins in legislative decisions made in the late ’70s. “Due to severe underfunding, our firefighters are continually overrun responding to calls, maintaining required training and trying to be active in public education,” Helmick
East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Fire Marshal Steve Aubert speaks during a press conference in Brentwood, Thursday, June 11. The conference addressed the district’s limited resources to fight fires and changes that are underway. Photo by Tony Kukulich
see Fire page 19
Blue-green algae reaches Roadway upgrades toxic levels early in season planned for summer by Kyle Szymanski
by Dawnmarie Fehr
Staff Writer
Correspondent
DISCOVERY BAY Water samples gathered in Discovery Bay on Thursday, June 4, have tested positive for dangerous levels of cyanotoxins. Samples were gathered from multiple locations, but those with high levels came from Windward and Clipper bays and the water in front of the Discovery Bay Yacht Club (DBYC). “I’m a little bit surprised — it hasn’t been super hot yet,” said Joe Doser, supervising environmental health specialist for Contra Costa County. “We’ve had a few hot days … but the results are pretty significant — way above the danger level.”
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Signs, such as the one above, cropped up in Discovery Bay after dangerous levels of cyanotoxins were found in samples gathered from multiple locations. Blue-green algae (BGA) grow in warm, stagnant and nutrient-rich shallows, blooming and releasing cyanobacteria, a toxin harmful to people and pets.
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The blooms are distinguished by a green, blue-green, white or brown scum that floats on the surface or see Algae page 19
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OAKLEY As summer rolls into the city, a number of roadway improvement projects will commence. City leaders recently approved two construction contracts and one consulting services agreement, paving the way for a key stretch of Laurel Road to be reconstructed and at least two neighborhood streets repaired and resurfaced. “Laurel Road carries more traffic than any other roadway in Oakley and will only get busier,” said Oakley Mayor Kevin Romick. “Accommodating the increased traffic demands on this roadway will play an important role in alleviating congestion throughout Oakley.”
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Laurel Road from Mellowood Drive to Main Street will be reconstructed. The north side of Laurel will be widened; the Main Street and Laurel Road signal modernized to accommodate an additional turn lane; all damaged curb, gutters and sidewalks replaced; and new landscaping, irrigation and streetlights added. The area’s roadway base has chronically failed, causing a costly maintenance issue that will be alleviated by this work, city officials said. The project, slated to start in early July, should be wrapped up by the end of October. The work is expected to cost about $2.7 million, paid from traffic impact fee funds garnered from new developments. see Roadway page 19
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