Rodeo-Hercules, Contra Costa Fire Districts Vie for Pinole Contract

The city of Pinole will hold a workshop Tuesday to discuss ways to increase efficiency and cut costs associated with running its fire department. The city is considering bids from the Rodeo-Hercules and Contra Costa County fire protection districts to contract out its firefighting services.

The Contra Costa Times reported that the Pinole fire agency runs on a $3.2 million budget, which is insufficient for vital department services.

Pinole already shares services with Contra Costa and Rodeo-Hercules. Both agencies’ proposals to contract with Pinole included maintaining existing Pinole firefighter jobs, the Times said.

The Rodeo-Hercules fire district recently began of one of its two fire stations on a rotating basis. One station located in Hercules and the other is in Rodeo.

In an informational public budget workshop held in December, Rodeo-Hercules Chief Charles Hanley, who also heads the Pinole fire department, said if the Rodeo-Hercules district contracts with Pinole, brownouts would not be necessary in Hercules or Rodeo.

Pinole's fire workshop will be held Tuesday at 5:30 p.m at Pinole City Hall, 2131 Pear Street.