Two fire fighters retire after 33 years protecting Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Congratulations to Contra Costa Fire Battalion Chief Jim Huntze and Captain Elia Ala’ilima on their retirements this week.

Both fire fighters started with the Riverview Fire District in 1988. Riverview comprised Antioch, Pittsburg and West Pittsburg Fire Departments. In 1994, the Riverview district became part of the Contra Costa Fire District.

Huntze and Ala’ilima have mentored and positively influenced many firefighters over the last 33 years. And both men have served as a true embodiment of the department’s core values.

In 2018, Huntze was off duty when he arrived at the scene of a burning house in Discovery Bay. By the time the fire crews arrived, Chief Huntze had already assessed the situation and set up a plan for the arriving crews to attack the fire defensively.

The Kiwanis Club of Concord honored Capt. Elia Ala’ilima as the firefighter of the year in 2019, and Mayor Carlyn Obringer declared May 31 as Elia Day.

We would like to thank these fire fighters for their dedication and service to the people of Contra Costa County. We hope they both enjoy their well-deserved retirements.