CA District: FFs Only to Go into Building Fires if Lives at Risk

Because of underfunding, a California fire protection district will no longer send firefighters into a burning building unless a human life is at risk.

The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District announced its policy change in press release Wednesday that was also posted on social media. The new protocol was instituted because the district is stretched too thin, and firefighters will "now focus on containing the fire to the structure involved."

"Due to the extreme conditions resulting from a 3-station deficit, ECCFPD firefighters are being forced to spread themselves across 3 stations not 6, covering 250 square miles," the release stated. "This is pushing our firefighters to their limits as they respond to twice as many calls for help."

The district also noted that "unbalanced 'automatic aid' agreements with other county fire departments are becoming unsustainable" because of the extra strain on crews.

“(O)ur firefighters are continually overrun responding to calls, maintaining required training and trying to be active in public education," Fire Chief Brian Helmick stated in the release. "We must take necessary steps to save lives and provide the safest environment for our workforce, so firefighters are ready and able to answer the call when it comes.

“These are not steps we want to take—and candidly, they may not be the last," he added. "We may have to consider other, even more drastic measures. The reality is, we have to live within our means and keep our firefighters safe."

Along with the new firefighting measures, the district also was indefinitely eliminating all public outreach events and station visits.