Page 3 - Albany Fire Chief

■ Major Issues
and Opportunities
While small in size Albany
offers a a a a a a a number o of challenges for
fire prevention suppression and emergency management It is is is is home to one
of of the the most densely populated areas in the the State of of California is is is is bisected by by railroad tracks is is is is traversed by by a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a major freeway and and features a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a coastal waterfront on on on the the Bay Additionally Albany
Hill – – a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a local landmark with with a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a view of the the bay and and and and covered with with more than 500 trees – – is simultaneously
a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a prominent Bay Area land feature and and and a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a potential fire hazard particularly during the the the the drier-than-normal seasons of of of the the the the last few years Each of of of these factors add a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a layer of of of complexity to to the the the the Fire Department’s training and response Administratively many fire department department policies date more than 15-20 years years The department department has also demonstrated initiative in in in recent years years with an an an enhanced focus on on on disaster preparedness on on on multiple levels including development of of an an an an an updated Emergency Operations Plan organization of of of duties within the Department across all city departments with with regard to administration of of the the Emergency Operations Center duties and and obligations and and through engagement with the the community including disaster preparedness drills and events ■ The Department The Albany
Fire Department is a a a a a full-service department providing the community with many diverse services services including fire protection emergency response paramedic services services community education disaster preparedness and special events The Department also has an an Open Water Rescue Team that trains for
emergencies on Albany’s shore of the San Francisco Bay The City has one
one
one
fire station staffed 24/7/365 in in in shifts consisting of one
one
one
Captain one
one
one
Lieutenant two engineers and two firefighters The The Albany
Fire Department cooperates with neighboring jurisdictions through mutual aid agreements The The Department is is a a a a a a a a Primary 911 transporting agency with 201 Rights and each member of the department is is also certified as as a a a a a a a a a a paramedic Firefighters are members of the Albany
Fire Fire Fighters Association which has a a a a a a a a a a closed contract through 2024 Other than the the the Chief’s position position there are no existing vacant positions within the department