Benicia Fire Department to prepare citizens for natural disasters through free course

   The world continues to experience natural disasters every day. In just the past five years, parts of America have experienced extensive damage as a result of such disasters as Hurricane Sandy, the 2014 South Napa Earthquake and the 2015 Valley Fire. Thankfully, Benicia has managed to avoid disasters of this magnitude during that time, but it is not immune from them. The area faces the possibility of experiencing earthquakes, wildfires, floods and landslides. Should one of them strike Benicia, first responders would be on hand for rescue and relief efforts, and residents will need to figure out the best way to prepare for them.

   The good news is the Benicia Fire Department will be offering a free course that can help.

   On Saturday, Jan. 21, the department will be hosting “Get Ready Benicia,” a course aimed at preparing community households to be in a suitable position when calamity strikes. The aim of the program is to prepare residents with the skills to survive and cope with a disaster for up toffee through seven days. According to the Fire Department, citizens who are prepared are less prone to injuries and illnesses as a result of a natural disaster. The course also aims to reduce work for over-burdened emergency first responders and free up space in hospitals and urgent care centers as well as reduce the financial burden the city would face in the aftermath of a disaster. 

   This course will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 21 at Fire Station 11, located at 150 Military West. Advanced registration is required, and scheduled classes will be canceled if minimum enrollment is not met. To register, email FireDept@ci.benicia.ca.us or call 746-4275. 

Santa to stop at Fire Department

(Originally published in the 12/4/15 edition)

   Santa Claus is coming to town.

   For the sixth year in a row, Saint Nicholas will be taking a break from supervising his elf workers up in the North Pole to pay a visit to the Benicia Fire Department on Dec. 19, giving children an opportunity to have their pictures taken with the jolly Christmas figure. This event has proven to be a big hit with children and parents alike.

   “Last year, we had approximately 400 people attend the event and we took approximately 170 pictures,” Fire Chief Jim Lydon said. 

   In addition, the Fire Department will be providing crafts to keep kids entertained as well as light refreshments. There will also be an opportunity to donate toys to those in need.

   Benicia Fire Department will be participating in Toys for Tots, the nonprofit organization founded in 1947 to give toys to children whose parents can not afford to buy them Christmas presents.

   “We do encourage people to support our toys program by bringing a toy to that event,” Lydon said.

   The toys must be newly purchased and unwrapped. The toys can be dropped off throughout the Christmas season at Fire Station 11 on 150 Military West, as well as Fire Station 12 on 601 Hastings Drive, The Benicia Senior Center on 187 East L St. and the Family Resource Center at  200 East L St.

   The Pictures with Santa event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19, in the garage area of Fire Station 11, located on Military West. Additionally, Santa will be in between the AT&T Store and Sport Clips at the Southampton Shopping Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19. Santa will also be at Pizza Pirate from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16 and Sunday, Dec. 20. Pizza Pirate is located at 72 Solano Square, off Military East. 

Valero to light up the holidays

(Originally published in the 11/4/15 edition)

   It’s the story of the Christmas that almost wasn’t- at least at the Benicia Capitol. 

   Lining the buildings on First Street with wreaths, lights and other festive decorations has long been a tradition for Benicia’s holiday season. This year, however, it almost looked as if the historic Capitol building would be without lights.

   Typically, the lights are hung by the Benicia Fire Department. However, this year the department no longer has a truck with a ladder big enough to reach the top of the building’s facade or its two columns where the lights are hung.

   “The city sold the old ladder truck for two reasons from what I heard,” Jon Van Landschoot, a senior park aide with Benicia State Parks Association, said. “One is it brought them some money, and secondly, they didn’t really use it that often.”

   "It was a decision based on the serviceability and the cost to maintain the vehicle," Fire Chief Jim Lydon said. 

   However, when Van Landschoot was looking around for alternatives, Lydon referred him to Valero’s fire department. The refinery agreed to provide a truck with a big enough ladder to hang lights from the facade.

   “We have a mutual agreement with the city of Benicia,” Valero Fire Chief Joe Bateman said. “If they call us, we’re always willing to help.”

    The lights will be hung tomorrow at the Capitol, located at 115 West G. St. The Capitol will be holding a Holiday Open House from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday Dec. 4, where people can view the colorful lights. The event will coincide with the annual parade down First Street, which will feature live entertainment and wine tasting.