RVFD Firefighters Will Replace Your Smoke Alarm Batteries

Rio Vista Fire Department (RVFD) interim Fire Chief, Scott Goodwin, made this pledge during his fire safety presentation at the RioVision Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Monday, June 14^th.   If any Rio Vista residents feel “shaky” using a ladder to change their smoke alarm batteries, the RVFD will respond to take care of it.  Chief Goodwin made the point that his department would rather do this than dispatch an ambulance for an emergency call.

Beyond smoke alarm maintenance, the balance of Chief Goodwin’s presentation focused on timely fire safety information, and what Rio Vista residents can do to reduce the risk of becoming fire victims.

Chief Goodwin addressed the potential of an uncontrolled wildfire threatening Rio Vista residences and commercial buildings. RVFD’s goal is to reduce the threat of fires here, like those that have destroyed other Northern California communities in recent years.

Key presentation highlights included:

• Create a defensible space for your home or building by removing dead undergrowth or other flammable items within 3 feet of the foundation.
• Avoid stacking lumber or firewood near the building foundation.
• Remove dead vines clinging to the side of a building, or on an attached trellis.  These create a “ladder” that fire uses to “walk-up” the side of a building and reach the roof.
• When re-doing landscaping, consider replacing decorative bark that is touching the building with crushed rock or pavers. Also, remove dead or dying shrubs that are in contact with the home or building exterior walls.
• Frequently clean rain gutters, roof structures, patio, and deck areas of flammable materials. Also, if there is a nearby fire threat, remove wooden patio furniture.
• If an extreme fire is near, close all windows, open all lightweight or lacy curtains, and close all doors inside the home.
• If the home or building is within 100 feet of dry grassy fields or other fire “fuel,” make sure there are no other flammables in that space.  
• Test exterior water hoses and faucets to assure they are in good working condition, especially during the fire season.
• Consider purchasing at least two standard home fire extinguishers. These can quickly be used to put out stray fire embers if a water source is not available.
• Create a “go bag.”  This may be a backpack or duffel bag containing prescription medicines, some cash, spare clothing, power bars, water, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and any irreplaceable keepsakes in case there is a need to evacuate in an emergency.    

Chief Goodwin invites anyone who may be concerned about dangerous fire conditions around their home or building to contact him by email at sgoodwin@ci.rio-vista.ca.us or call the fire station at (707) 374-2233.

The chief’s background includes 40 years of firefighting experience.  He has served as Fire Captain for the City of San Bernardino, the Division Chief for the City of Santa Fe Springs, and the president and CEO of 4 organizations specialized in training future firefighters and  Fire Chiefs around the country.  He has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Public Administration, a Harvard University certificate for Executive Leadership, has served as an Executive Fire Officer for the National Fire Academy, and earned several nationally recognized firefighting certifications.

A recording of Chief Goodwin’s presentation can be found at www.facebook.com/riovistavision.  He would be happy to make this presentation to any interested community organizations.

Rio Vista is extremely fortunate to have the deeply knowledgeable and experienced Chief Goodwin in charge of our fire department, and the hard-working firefighters and staff under his command, especially during this summer’s drought-heightened fire season.