Tag Archives: Benicia Fire Department

Benicia CA, Benicia Fire Department, Coronavirus, Covid 19, Vaccine

Over a third of Benicia firefighters are not vaccinated

September 24, 2021 Roger Straw

By Roger Straw, September 24, 2021

Only 62% of Benicia firefighters have been vaccinated

The Benicia Fire Department reported on September 23, 2021 that only 23 of its 37-member staff are vaccinated.

The City of Benicia provided a Public Records email with this information in response to a request submitted by Benician Gregg Horton.

Horton wrote on September 10, “Please provide record sufficient to determine the number of Benicia Firefighters who are vaccinated for COVID-19. Please also provide any records tracking the vaccination rate of Benicia Firefighters over time.”

The City’s formal response began with three paragraphs detailing it’s legal obligation and desire to cooperate fully under California’s Public Records Act (Government Code section 6250 et seq.).

The City’s response then very briefly offered the following: “In response to your request, the Fire Dept. provided the following information: – Currently, 23 of 37, or 62%, of Fire Dept. staff are vaccinated.”

I am concerned, maybe a little alarmed, that unvaccinated first responder firefighters may be in close aerosol contact with residents in times of emergency. I am personally acquainted with and highly appreciative of the quick response our firefighters provide in a resident’s home or in public places when a 911 call goes out.

The City of Benicia ought to quickly agendize and take action to mandate that city workers who come into contact with the public are vaccinated and/or tested routinely.

Benicia Fire Department, Keeping Watch on Earth News, Oil spill, Valero Benicia Refinery

Benicia Valero Refinery – oil spill in Sulphur Springs Creek

March 10, 2021 Roger Straw

Valero Benicia Refinery Reports Oil Sheen

The refinery deployed a boom to contain the sheen and the Benicia Fire Department is monitoring the situation.

Benicia Patch, by Maggie Fusek, Mar 9, 2021 at 7:33 pm PT
[BenIndy Editor: See also: Benicia Fire Department Level 2 Notification, and CA Hazardous Materials Spill Report. – R.S.]

The refinery is seen from Interstate Highway 680. (Shutterstock / Frankie WO)

BENICIA, CA — Personnel with the Benicia Fire Department were monitoring an oil sheen reported Tuesday by the Valero Benicia Refinery in Sulphur Springs Creek.

The refinery notified the fire department that at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, a sheen from an unknown type of oil was spotted in the waters of the creek, Benicia Fire Department officials said.

“Valero Benicia Refinery commenced mitigation efforts at 3:20 p.m.,” fire officials said. “The sheen has been contained and proper clean up, notification and mitigation procedures were underway.”

The incident was not a threat to drinking water or public safety although fire personnel will continue to monitor the situation and will update the public if conditions change, fire officials said.

According to a hazardous materials spill report issued by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, Valero Energy discovered the sheen at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday. The cause of the Petroleum sheen was not known, nor had the source been determined. Refinery personnel contained the sheen by deploying a boom; cleanup was underway and an investigation was ongoing.

Benicia Fire Department, Coronavirus, Covid 19, Keeping Watch on Earth News

Benicia Firefighter Tests Positive for COVID-19

September 15, 2020 Roger Straw

PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF BENICIA
Benicia Fire Department
250 East L Street
Benicia, California 94510

Contact: Fire Chief Josh Chadwick
Benicia Fire Department
(707) 746-4275
jchadwick@ci.benicia.ca.us

CITY OF BENICIA UPDATE ON COVID-19
FOR SEPTEMBER 15, 2020
Benicia Firefighter Tests Positive for COVID-19

Benicia, CA (September 15, 2020) — On September 15, 2020, a Benicia Fire Department firefighter informed the City of Benicia that they received a positive test result for COVID-19. The source of the infection has not yet been determined, but the Benicia Fire Department is working with the Solano County Public Health Department and is following and exceeding their guidance.

Fire Chief Josh Chadwick has been in close contact with Solano County Public Health and has determined that, based on the firefighter’s last shift on duty and the date of onset of symptoms, there was no direct exposure to the community during the firefighter’s infectious period.

“We are fortunate that during the period of infection, the firefighter did not have direct contact with members of the public in the City of Benicia. The Benicia Fire Department is committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring the safety of the residents of Benicia,” said Benicia Fire Chief Josh Chadwick.

The Benicia Fire Department has standing operating guidelines in place and abides by county protocols to limit or prevent the infection between patients and fire personnel. Fire personnel follow these guidelines and protocols during treatment and interaction with residents. The affected Firefighter is in self-quarantine at home and has not required hospitalization.

All Benicia fire stations remain fully staffed and the City does not anticipate any disruption to service delivery.

Due to health privacy rights, the City is prohibited from providing any information about the identity of the affected firefighter. This is the third member of the Fire Department and the sixth City employee to test positive for COVID-19. We are facilitating testing for all employees who may have been exposed.

For up-to-date information about the City of Benicia’s response to COVID-19, please go to https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/coronavirus.

Benicia Fire Department, Coronavirus, Covid 19

Benicia Firefighter Tests Positive for COVID-19

July 1, 2020 Roger Straw

CITY OF BENICIA
Benicia Fire Department
250 East L Street,
Benicia, California 94510

Contact: Fire Chief Josh Chadwick
Benicia Fire Department
(707) 746-4275
jchadwick@ci.benicia.ca.us

CITY OF BENICIA UPDATE ON COVID-19
Benicia Firefighter Tests Positive for COVID-19

Benicia, CA (July 1, 2020) — On July 1, 2020, a Benicia Fire Department firefighter informed the City of Benicia that they received a positive test result for COVID-19. The source of the infection has not yet been determined, but the Benicia Fire Department is working with the Solano County Public Health Department to attempt to determine the source.

Fire Chief Josh Chadwick has been in close contact with Solano County Public Health staff who have determined that, based on the firefighter’s last shift on duty and the date of onset of symptoms, there was no exposure to City staff or to the community during the firefighter’s infectious period.

“We are fortunate that during the period of infection, the firefighter was not present in the City of Benicia. The Benicia Fire Department is committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and ensuring the safety of the residents of Benicia,” said Benicia Fire Chief Josh Chadwick.

The Benicia Fire Department has standing operating guidelines and county protocols in place to limit or prevent the infection between patients and fire personnel. Fire personnel follow these guidelines and protocols during treatment and interaction with residents. The firefighter had no fever or symptoms during their last on-duty shift. The affected Firefighter is in self-quarantine at home and has not required hospitalization.