Chief Helmick passes the ax as East Contra Costa Fire district annexed by CON FIRE
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (July 3, 2022) — Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) completed formal annexation of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) at a Transfer of Command ceremony Friday.
The historic ceremony marked the transition of leadership from ECCFPD to Con Fire effective June 30.
Annexation will improve fire and emergency medical services delivery across the county. This particularly effects underserved east county communities. The new organization also takes advantage of efficiencies and economies of scale to do more.
Number one, the change reduces response times. It improves implementation of fire engine-based paramedic services. In addition, it will bring new fire stations and crews across the District, especially in east county.
The finish line
“Today marks our arrival at the finish line of a pursuit for improved fire and emergency services that has been years in the making. I am appreciative of all the work from the many elected and fire leaders that has gone into making this day a reality,” said Lewis Broschard, fire chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.
“Today is a landmark day in the evolution of fire and emergency medical services delivery in the communities formerly served by East Contra Costa Fire and across our County,” said Brian Helmick, fire chief, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.
“As an East Contra Costa resident, I am grateful that our community is now safer,” said Contra Costa County District 3 supervisor, Diane Burgis.
The new District now includes the entirety of the former ECCFPD service area. It expands geographically from 304 to 553 square miles, a 45% increase. Population served by the organization grows from 625,000 to 753,000 residents. Con Fire now provides fire and emergency medical services to residents of 11 cities. This increases from the former nine. It also serves 11 unincorporated areas of the County.