Fire officials on Friday marked the official beginning of a new era in firefighting for Contra Costa County.
The Contra Costa Fire Protection District formally announced its annexation of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District in a Brentwood ceremony.
The move adds 128,000 residents of eastern Contra Costa County to the area that ConFire oversees. It is expected to quicken response times in cities such as Oakley, Bethel Island and Knightsen. The expansion covers 249 square miles, a 45% increase over the district’s previous coverage territory.
ConFire now will provide fire and emergency medical services to 11 cities and 11 unincorporated areas in Contra Costa County.
“Today marks our arrival at the finish line of a pursuit for improved fire and emergency services that has been years in the making,” Fire Chief Lewis Broschard said. “I am appreciative of all the work from the many elected and fire leaders that has gone into making this day a reality.”
Fire engines from both the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and East Contra Costa Fire Protection District line up along the road after the Transfer of Command Ceremony in Brentwood City Park on Friday, July 1, 2022. The event also highlighted the combined resources of the new Con Fire. (Wangyuxuan Xu/Bay Area News Group) A fire axe from the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District is displayed during the Transfer of Command Ceremony in Brentwood City Park on Friday, July 1, 2022. The event marked the merger of the two districts, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, and the Contra Costa Fire Protection District, into one, ConFire, to better serve the entire county. (Wangyuxuan Xu/Bay Area News Group) Members from the Contra Costa Fire Rescue team and Tracie Dutter of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District pray during the Transfer of Command Ceremony in Brentwood City Park on Friday, July 1, 2022. The event marked the merger of the two districts, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, and the Contra Costa Fire Protection District, into one, ConFire, to better serve the entire county. . (Wangyuxuan Xu/Bay Area News Group) Kristopher Aquino and his son Kyle Aquino (1) stand in front of a fire engine after the Transfer of Command Ceremony in Brentwood City Park on Friday, July 1, 2022. The event marked the merger of the two districts, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, and the Contra Costa Fire Protection District, into one, ConFire, to better serve the entire county. (Wangyuxuan Xu/Bay Area News Group) Children play after the Transfer of Command Ceremony in Brentwood City Park on Friday, July 1, 2022. The event marked the merger of the two districts, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, and the Contra Costa Fire Protection District, into one, ConFire, to better serve the entire county. (Wangyuxuan Xu/Bay Area News Group) A family takes photos with Con Fire mascot “Sparky” after the Transfer of Command Ceremony in Brentwood City Park on Friday, July 1, 2022. The event marked the merger of the two districts, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, and the Contra Costa Fire Protection District, into one, ConFire, to better serve the entire county. (Wangyuxuan Xu/Bay Area News Group)
