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Good news for fans of staffed fire stations. Humboldt Bay Fire Deputy Fire Chief William M. Reynolds sends word that Fire Station 4 on Myrtle Avenue will once again be fully staffed starting tomorrow. Read the full Humboldt Bay Fire announcement on how this came to be below: 

As of July 1st 2016 Humboldt Bay Fire will begin staffing Fire Station 4, located at Myrtle Ave./West Ave. in Eureka, full time again.

Over the past year, due to economic challenges, Fire Station 4 experienced periods where the station was “browned out” (not staffed). This presented Humboldt Bay Fire with significant challenges in increasing our response times to Station 4’s area due to other units having to fill in the gaps. Additionally, when responding to major incidents (structure fires, major traffic collisions, etc) we would consistently find ourselves one company short affecting the amount of personnel to do crucial jobs on the fire ground and at emergency scenes. This obviously would make an already dangerous job more dangerous as personnel were forced to do more with less.

Going forward, utilizing salary savings from eliminated administrative positions, a reduction in salaries to management positions, and frozen/unfilled positions, coupled with a slight increase in Measure Q funding generated and available in the City of Eureka, funding support has been built back into the budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year budget to facilitate the re-opening of the station on a full time basis. A key factor in realizing the re-opening is cooperation between the Firefighter Union (Humboldt Bay Firefighters Local 652), both parent agencies to Humboldt Bay Fire (Humboldt No. 1 Fire Protection District and the City of Eureka), and Humboldt Bay Fire. All parties recognize the value of Fire Station 4 in what it means to the daily operations of Humboldt Bay Fire and to the citizens we serve.

Staffing at Station 4 will utilize a flexible model between a staffed three person fire engine company and a two person squad company. On days where HBF is at full staffing, an engine will be staffed providing full fire and emergency medical capability. On days where multiple absences are incurred a minimum of the two person squad company will be staffed. While the squad does not carry water or a fire pump, it will still enable the crew to respond to medical emergencies effectively and will provide the crucial manpower at larger emergencies. At a minimum, the squad will be staffed 24/7, and the station will remain open during the coming year.

Humboldt Bay Fire remains committed to community service through leadership, vision, and integrity. We will continue to work to provide the best possible emergency services through these challenging times and continue to explore new ways of enhancing those services.