Oakland Firefighters Local 55

2020 Year in Review: We hope you enjoy seeing your Oakland Firefighters in action inside and outside the fire house. It was an interesting year to say the least. Oakland Firefighters responded to a total of 50,112 'Code 3' emergencies which include 808 structure fires, 604 encampment fires, 996 vehicle fires and 2,491 other fires’ which include vehicle fires, outside fires, grass/wildland fires, and misc. Oakland Firefighters are proud to serve and protect the citizens an...d visitors of Oakland, CA. Here's to a safe 2021! Top 5 Busiest Engine Companies (Code 3 Responses): 1) Engine 1 - 4148 2) Engine 18 - 3818 3) Engine 13 - 3787 4) Engine 23 - 3738 5) Engine 29 - 3696 Top 3 Busiest Truck Companies (Code 3 Responses): 1) Truck 1 - 1824 2) Truck 6 - 1604 3) Truck 4 - 1532 Thanks to Chris Matthews from Incident Command Photography and Lieutenant Jeff Haughy for the hours spent assembling, editing (re-editing and re-re-editing and...) and putting it all together for all to see! YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/gJmdZ1RDiFw ~YOUR OAKLAND FIREFIGHTERS "Ordinary people doing an Extraordinary job" ‘We’ll miss you, Pal’

Oakland Fire Department Black History In 1919 Oakland began testing African American applicants to serve in segregated units. On Jan 1, 1920, three African Amer...ican men were hired. In 1925 the first all-African American firehouse, 22 Engine, opened at 3230 Magnolia St. Any black man wishing to work for the department had to wait until an opening appeared at station 22, which could take years. Eventually, this firehouse became overcrowded, which resulted in the opening of two additional all black firehouses, Engines 33 and 28, both located in the Oakland hills. Desegregation did not occur in the Oakland Fire Department until 1955 following Chief Sweeney’s appointment. from Oakland Black Firefighters Association w/ info from Sarah Wheelock’s The Desegregation of the Oakland Fire Department, the University Of California at Berkeley BA History Project.

Mutual aid agencies from out of the area are showing their love and support by providing coverage to help the Stockton Fire Department while they grieve their f...allen brother in the fire service. California Professional Firefighters Oakland Fire Department Alameda Fire Department #RIPMaxFortuna See more

Thanks to Council president Nikki Fortunato Bas and Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan for their ongoing efforts to secure the resources to rebuild Fire Station 4, a vital public safety resource in the San Antonio neighborhood. #oakmtg #youroaklandfirefighters

February 2, 2022- #workingfire on the 1100 block 65th Ave. Engine 29 reported a Working Fire in two-story apartment building. Engine 29 secured a water supply and with assistance from Engine 18 stretched the rear 1 3/4 dead load attack line to the fire building. Engines 29, 18, 23, 20, Truck 6, Battalion 3, Investigator 1. #oakland #oaklandfire #buildingfire... #apartmentfire See more

We’re honored to support the Stockton Fire Department family as they honor and celebrate the life of fallen Fire Captain Max Fortuna. May He Rest In Peace. #ripmaxfortuna

Oakland Fire Department Black History In 1919 Oakland began testing African American applicants to serve in segregated units. On Jan 1, 1920, three African Amer...ican men were hired. In 1925 the first all-African American firehouse, 22 Engine, opened at 3230 Magnolia St. Any black man wishing to work for the department had to wait until an opening appeared at station 22, which could take years. Eventually, this firehouse became overcrowded, which resulted in the opening of two additional all black firehouses, Engines 33 and 28, both located in the Oakland hills. Desegregation did not occur in the Oakland Fire Department until 1955 following Chief Sweeney’s appointment. from Oakland Black Firefighters Association w/ info from Sarah Wheelock’s The Desegregation of the Oakland Fire Department, the University Of California at Berkeley BA History Project.

Today, January 31, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. A press conference was held to share information about the loss of Captain Max Fortuna. Stockton Fire Chief Richard Edw...ards shared the following statement: This morning at approximately 4:45 a.m. the Stockton Fire Department’s Emergency Communications Division received a 911 call for a dumpster fire in the area of Washington and Aurora Streets. Engine 2 arrived on the scene a short time later and found a dumpster fire impinging on a structure. As firefighters were extinguishing the fire, gunshots were heard, and the Fire Captain of Engine 2 had been struck. Firefighters quickly transitioned to providing EMS care and transported him to the hospital. I’m devastated to report that Veteran Fire Captain Max Fortuna has succumbed to his injuries. Captain Fortuna served the City of Stockton for 21 years and leaves behind a wife and two grown children. I ask you to keep Captain Fortuna’s family and the Stockton Fire Department family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

Mutual aid agencies from out of the area are showing their love and support by providing coverage to help the Stockton Fire Department while they grieve their f...allen brother in the fire service. California Professional Firefighters Oakland Fire Department Alameda Fire Department #RIPMaxFortuna See more

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Stockton Fire Department. https://sacramento.cbslocal.com//firefighter-shot-killed-/

Today, January 31, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. A press conference was held to share information about the loss of Captain Max Fortuna. Stockton Fire Chief Richard Edw...ards shared the following statement: This morning at approximately 4:45 a.m. the Stockton Fire Department’s Emergency Communications Division received a 911 call for a dumpster fire in the area of Washington and Aurora Streets. Engine 2 arrived on the scene a short time later and found a dumpster fire impinging on a structure. As firefighters were extinguishing the fire, gunshots were heard, and the Fire Captain of Engine 2 had been struck. Firefighters quickly transitioned to providing EMS care and transported him to the hospital. I’m devastated to report that Veteran Fire Captain Max Fortuna has succumbed to his injuries. Captain Fortuna served the City of Stockton for 21 years and leaves behind a wife and two grown children. I ask you to keep Captain Fortuna’s family and the Stockton Fire Department family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

This morning, we opened up Fire House #4 (1235 International) for a community dialogue regarding existing conditions at this 110 year old facility and the city’s efforts to find a new home for E4 & T2 which respond to 4000 emergency calls per year. Thanks to everyone who joined.

Never once have #youroaklandfirefighters wavered from helping our communities. We need to step up to protect our Oakland Fire Engine companies from closure. https://www.eastbaytimes.com//09/three-men-shot-in-oaklan/

#youroaklandfirefighters are the emergency responders, as a global pandemic continues to rage through our communities. Stop the Closures. Join Us at www.firesafeoakland.com #oakland #oaklandfire... #stoptheclosures See more

Oakland City Administration is cutting 3 Oakland Fire Stations THIS FRIDAY! Stop the closures. Join us at firesafeoakland.com... #oakmtg #youroaklandfirefighters #stoptheclosures #firesafeoakland #oaklandfire #oakland

The shift calendars that hang in every #Oakland firehouse, and are issued to every member of #local55 not only have who is working what day-but MOST importantly-a Maltese cross marks the day that an Oakland #firefighter made the #supremesacrifice Today is one of those days. January 10, 1999 Firefighter Tracy Toomey was killed while operating at the Back on Broadway fire in the 3000blk of Broadway. The members that were in the department on January 10, 1999 know that in a ...moment lives can be changed forever. The anniversary of this LODD is a chance for all of us to remember this job can get real in a hurry. Please take this opportunity to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by FF Toomey and to use this anniversary as a reminder to not get complacent. We miss you Tracy. NIOSH Report- https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face9903.html #wewillneverforget #youroaklandfirefighters #lodd

Early morning Fire in Emeryville. The Oakland Fire Department is an integral part of Alameda County’s Mutual aid system. OFD & ACFD have a contract to augment emergency services to ACFD’s two fire stations in Emeryville. They also assist ACFD service areas in San Leandro and Castro Valley. ALL citizens of Alameda County should be concerned with the possible closures of OFD fire engines. #local55 #youroaklandfirefighters ... Narrative At 6:37 a.m. this morning, Alameda County Fire and Oakland Fire responded to a fully involved structure fire at a single family dwelling on the 1000 block of 47th Street Emeryville. The fire extended and caused damage in a secondary dwelling due to the adjacent proximity. @americanredcross was contacted to assist the three occupants who were displaced from the primary dwelling. The primary fire was knocked down within 15 minutes. Crews remained on scene for more than three and a half hours.

Posted @withregram @sffdlocal798 Thank you to Vallejo Leatherheads @oaklandfirefighters Vallejo Firefighters for supporting us and showing respect to the Cortez family and the members of the SFFD. #firefamily #brotherhood #sisterhood #family #bayarea

Our thoughts and prayers are with @sffdlocal798 and the Cortez family. Rest easy.

https://www.eastbaytimes.com//no-one-hurt-in-separat/amp/

2 displaced by residential fire in Oakland; fire under control https://ktvu.com//2-displaced-by-residential-fire-in-oakla

#workingfire this evening on the 3200 block Georgia Street. Engine 17 reported a two story residential structure with heavy fire showing from the 1st & 2nd floor. No injuries reported. Engines 17, 16, 13, 25, Trucks 6, 4, Battalion 4. #oakland #oaklandfiredepartment

News from: The Oakland Fire Department FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 19, 2020... Statement from Interim Fire Chief Melinda Drayton on the Anniversary of the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire Oakland, CA Interim Oakland Fire Chief Melinda Drayton issued the following statement on the anniversary of the Oakland-Berkeley Hills Fire: Today is an important date in the history of the Oakland Fire Department and the City of Oakland. While many years have passed since the devastating Firestorm raged through the hills in October 1991, for the Oakland firefighters who fought the fire, residents who lost homes, and the those who returned to rebuild, the memories are vivid and still evoke strong emotion. The firestorm burned for three long days, killed 25 people, and destroyed 3,354 homes, of which all but 63 were in Oakland. Among those who died honorably were Oakland Police Officer John Grubensky and Oakland Fire Battalion Chief James Riley, who were helping people evacuate. The fire's rapid rate of spread and massively destructive nature sparked renewed recognition of the dangers posed by wildland-urban interface fires in major cities. On this anniversary, I want to offer a special thank you to all of the dedicated community organizations and neighborhood groups - many of which are based in the high fire hazard severity zone - that have made it their mission to promote and inform residents on the very real threat that wildfire poses. They have been on the front lines promoting our annual vegetation inspection program, led community preparedness and emergency response trainings, and continue to provide informed recommendations to City leaders about the need for greater alignment and focus in wildfire prevention. Our partnership with these groups has made Oakland safer and more resilient. The potential for incidents in the high fire severity zone is of utmost concern year-round, and especially during fire season. I can assure you that the Fire Department shares in working around the clock internally and alongside our partners in neighboring jurisdictions to address and mitigate the threat of wildfire. As a 22 year veteran of Oakland Fire, and someone whose family home burned down in the hills fire, I extend my condolences to those who lost loved ones, and a heartfelt appreciation to all the past and present Oakland Firefighters who fought the ’91 fire, as well as the many first responders and volunteers who sacrificed so much to keep our residents safe during that frightening time in our city's history. # # #

New batch of masks have arrived. Limited quantities available. To purchase - www.ofdgear.net Free shipping. Oakland Fire Pink Station 4 Station 8... Station 13 Station 15 Station 20 Station 29 Oakland Bomberos Oakland Fire Old School OFD Local 55 100% Anti-Microbial Face Masks covers. 100% Washable/reusable. Our fabric is a breathable soft material that can help tp prevent skin irritation. THIS IS NOT a medical grade Face Mask. Made in the USA. #facemask #firefighter #oaklandfire #wearamask See more

Yesterday at 11AM, 14 dedicated members of the Oakland Fire Department were promoted to the rank of Engineer. The department would like to acknowledge all the #OFD personnel who provided guidance and valuable instruction during the Engineer of Fire promotional process. #oaklandfire #fireengineer #firefighter #firepromotion... #engineer #fireenginedriver #youroaklandfirefighters See more

https://www.eastbaytimes.com//one-dead-after-east-oakland/

Our communities always ask us how they can support firefighters during this busy fire season. One of the best ways is by voting for ballot measures and elected officials that help us help you! Your Oakland and Alameda County Firefighters have come together to release a Voting Guide that outlines all the ways to help in this election. Thank you for continued support, and VOTE!

And just like that...the most senior member of the #OFD retires! @ofd20dr Lt Dan Robertson worked his last day in the firehouse on October 9, 2020. Over 30 years of dedicated service. A model employee (ha!), a friend, mentor, and leader to and for every member of the @oaklandfireca family..past and present. A #labor leader for most of his working life, he has been an executive board member, Advisory Board Chair, Vice President, and President of #Local55 He has improved the l...ives of Oakland Firefighters in countless ways, and we are all better off because of his dedication and resolve. A lifelong preacher of the value of HARD WORK, Dan has earned his rest, and #youroaklandfirefighters wish him a long, healthy, and sleep filled retirement. NICE GOIN’ DAN! #oakland #strongertogether

'These are the times where borders and boundaries drop and it's all hands on deck and everyone has got to do their part to help bring these emergencies under control.' James Bowron, OFD battalion chief https://www.kqed.org//into-the-wild-the-urban-firefighters