Firefighter News • The 100 Club of Solano & Yolo Counties

Congratulations to Gabriel Totah on receiving the Meritorious Commendation and Reserve Firefighter of the year for 2023 from the Fairfield Fire Department. Gabriel was recognized for his efforts and dedication to the citizens of Fairfield. Gabriel was also one of our scholarship recipients last year and we’re very proud of his accomplishments!

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Nov. 11, 1920 — Feb. 1, 2024

Robert Dittmer, 103, passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, at Paradise Valley Estates in Fairfield after a short illness.

Robert was born in Oakland on Nov. 11, 1920, to Frederick and Mabrey (Whitney) Dittmer. He grew up on the family ranch in Cordelia and was a local-area resident his entire life.

A member of the Greatest Generation, as a child he lived through the Great Depression. As the nation entered World War II, he joined the U.S. Army Air Forces at age 22 on Dec. 8, 1942, and became a bombardier on B-17s, successfully flying 35 combat missions over Germany. He was honorably discharged as a second lieutenant on June 9, 1944. He received an Air Medal for his service.

After the war in 1944, Robert entered the fire service and became an Assistant Chief of the Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base Fire Department (now known as Travis Air Force Base). In 1950, during the Korean War he was serving as the duty chief in charge, and he led his team to a crash and fire of a B-29 carrying Brigadier General Robert F. Travis that had crashed five minutes after takeoff.

They found out later the B-29 was carrying an unarmed Mark 4 nuclear bomb, and 5,000 pounds of fusing explosive. The fusing explosive exploded as they were attempting to make entry to rescue the crew. Almost all the other rescuers were killed, along with Gen. Travis and his entire crew.

Robert survived but he was severely injured and burned and spent many months in the hospital recovering. Much later in 1956, he received a commendation for entering the burning wreckage of another crashed aircraft and pulling out the surviving injured crew.

Robert met Lois, his future wife, while working at Travis. They wed in 1951 and were married and together for 72 years, raising son Jeff and daughter Suzanne.

After his father’s death 1957, Robert resigned from the Travis Fire Department to pursue business interests. He operated the family ranch, raising sheep and cattle. He owned and operated Fairfield Glass and Paint for more than 20 years with his friend and business partner Wilton Ward. He also had a few local real-estate ventures, some with his friend and business partner Mike McInnis. He was very involved in the downtown Fairfield business community for many years. He never really retired, actively working on business activities until shortly before his death.

Funeral service and a celebration of his life will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Rockville Stone Chapel. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Rockville Cemetery, 4219 Suisun Valley Road in Fairfield.

Arrangements entrusted to Bryan-Braker Funeral Home, Fairfield. Please go to bryanbraker.com to sign the guestbook, leave condolences and/or get directions.

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Job announcement for Vacaville Fire Department hiring fire fighters.

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Photo of Kyle Williams, City of Benicia 2021 Firefighter of the year. — Firefighter Kyle Williams

Please join Fire Chief Josh Chadwick in congratulating Firefighter Kyle Williams as the 2021 City of Benicia Firefighter of the Year.

Kyle was born and raised in Solano County and attended high school in Vacaville. After high school, he attended Sacramento State University where he received his bachelor’s degree and also played goalie for the Sacramento State ice hockey team.
Kyle began his career with the Benicia Fire in October of 2015. Prior to coming to Benicia, Kyle worked as an EMT for Medic Ambulance, an ER Tech for NorthBay and VacaValley hospitals, and a Paramedic FF for Fairfield Fire Department. At the Benicia Fire Department Kyle is a CPR instructor, acting Engineer, and acting Captain.

This award is presented to the individual who has given selflessly of themselves in support of the department, the fire service, and the community. Kyle was selected for this recognition from an amazing group of candidates, all nominated by their peers and his selection as Firefighter of The Year is well deserved. Kyle has been a driving force behind the implementation of Benicia Fire Department’s High- Performance CPR program which re-structured the way the Department runs CPR calls. This change has led to better CPR by our crews. The Department is proud to have a Return of Spontaneous Circulation rate of 40%, which is dramatically higher than the American Heart Association reported national average of 10%. Kyle should be proud of his work on this program as it makes a direct positive impact on our citizens.

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Congratulations to the Clarksburg Fire District on the arrival of their new fire truck!

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UC Davis Fire Department has opened registration for the winter training for EMTs.

For information, click here.

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Job announcement for Davis Fire Department, hiring fire fighters.

Are you already a fire fighter and looking for a job? Davis Fire Department is hiring!

Click here for more information.

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Suisun City Fire Department marks 160 years of service

By Amy Maginnis-Honey

SUISUN CITY — The Fire Department is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year. That’s quite a feat since the city is 150 years old. “The Fire Department predates the city,” Fire Chief Justin Vincent said at a recent City Council meeting. It was launched by the Union Army.

The department secured a hand-pulled cart from San Francisco in August 1861. The story, Vincent said, is that it was too much for the steep hills and had rolled downhill, killing a firefighter. The department still has that piece of equipment. A fire devastated much of downtown Suisun City in 1869. An eight-square block area was lost to fire in 1888. The department added a horse-drawn wagon in 1906. The first motorized engine was secured in 1929. The department still has it today and is working on the carburetor. “If you have been around, you have seen this,” Vincent said. It’s often used in parades, he said.

Vincent noted that in some of the pictures he was sharing, the all-volunteer firefighters did not have turnout gear. They did possess a lot of bravery, he said.

Five Dover Terrace homes were partially destroyed by fire in 1978. That same year, Elmo’s Bar caught fire. Vincent shared details on the community effort, which included former Councilman Mike Segala, to have a second station. “It was true volunteer spirit,” Vincent said.

The department is also home to a bike team, dive and rescue team, and water rescue team. Vincent, in marking the anniversary, said he considers the department as offering 160 years of excellence. Mayor Lori Wilson agreed. When Vincent said he hoped for 160 more years, Wilson said, “To infinity and beyond.”

Other City Council members offered praise to the department. “I’ve watched them for a lot of years,” Councilwoman Jane Day said. “They have achieved a tremendous amount and one of the best jobs we can ever ask them to do.” Councilwoman Wanda Williams praised the department’s growth under Vincent’s leadership. She said she can rest comfortably knowing the Fire Department is there. “There are so many other fire departments you guys could be working for,” she said. “I thank you.” Mayor Pro Tem Alma Hernandez thanked the entire department for “selflessly putting themselves in danger every day.”

Hundreds and hundreds of firefighters have worked in Suisun City over the years. “The lessons learned, good and bad, have shaped the Fire Department to what it is today,” Vincent said.

Click here to view PowerPoint slides with photos and more information on the history of the Suisun Fire Department.

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Photo of Matthew Rominger. — Matthew “Bear” Rominger

Mountain Warfare Fire Department and Camp Pendleton Firefighters, Local F-85 are saddened to announce the loss of one of their own. Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew M. “Bear” Rominger, 48, passed away on May 16, 2021 from COVID-19 complications.

In his career, he worked as a paramedic for American Medical Response, was a firefighter with CAL FIRE and spent the majority of his career in the federal fire service.

Expressions of sympathy or condolences for the Local or family can be sent to Local F-85, P.O. Box 667, Fallbrook, CA 92028.

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Winters Fire Department

Did you know that the Winters Fire Department provides service to the City of Winters and the Winters Fire Protection District, over 80 square miles, with primarily volunteers? The Chief, 3 captains and 1 engineer are full-time paid staff, and the volunteers receive stipends, gear and a lot of training. We could use your help! Check out the Fire Department website to learn more about the department at http://www.wintersfire.org/ and apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/CITYOFWINTERS. Join a team motivated by service to others and each other. The volunteers also spearhead toy drives for children during the holidays, fundraise for worthwhile causes in town, and are generally hard working, big hearted community members.

Former Rio Vista Fire Chief Keith Tadewald Rio Vista Fire Department Facebook page

Keith Tadewald, former Rio Vista fire chief, dies

Credited with transforming the Fire Department from a volunteer organization to a professional one

By NICK SESTANOVICH | nsestanovich@thereporter.com
PUBLISHED: April 26, 2021 at 2:54 p.m. | UPDATED: April 26, 2021 at 5:31 p.m.

Former Rio Vista Fire Chief Keith Tadewald, credited with transforming the Fire Department from a volunteer organization to a professional one, died in his home Saturday. Tadewald served as fire chief between 1993 and 2004, having previously served with the department as an engineer and a captain.

Former Mayor Marci Coglianese praised Tadewald as a great partner for the city. “He loved Rio Vista,” she said. “He put his heart into the place.”

According to the Facebook post, Tadewald brought several significant changes to the department during his tenure, including recruiting advanced life support firefighting paramedics, helping develop 24/7 shifts and changing the focus of the department from being entirely volunteer-based to a paid professional agency with assistance from volunteers, acquiring over a half dozen fire apparatuses and personal protective equipment and assisting with a remodel of the firehouse.

Coglianese praised Tadewald’s dedication, including when he stepped up to serve as interim city manager following the departure of Joseph Donabed in 2002. “We were in an emergency situation, and he stepped up and filled in trying to manage the staff” she said.

During Tadewald’s tenure, Coglianese said Rio Vista was facing several financial issues and was a major help. “He knew his job, and I just thought the world of him,” she said. Former Councilman Don DeSilva knew Tadewald from a young age and said he loved the city and serving with the Fire Department, having joined as a volunteer. He had particular praise for his commitment to not only his job but to others. “He did anything for anybody,” he said. “If you called in the middle of the night, he’d be there for you. That’s the way he was.”

DeSilva also praised Tadewald’s generosity and humbleness. “If he did something, he didn’t want the attention,” he said. “He always felt better if someone else got the attention, but he wanted to do the work to help the people.”

Former Councilman Matt Bidou worked closely with Tadewald as a fire commissioner and lauded his ability to manage a large pool of volunteer firefighters, which Bidou said are generally more difficult to manage due to them not having employment contracts. “He was the kind of guy that got that job done all the time,” he said. “When we would meet, it would sometimes be standing room only because we didn’t have enough chairs. That’s how many firefighters that he had.” Bidou also said Tadewald treated all his fellow employees as equals. “You would never know he was a chief or an administrator,” he said. “He was a down-to-earth person that treated everybody the same.”

DeSilva said Tadewald had a very quiet retirement, which he mostly spent working in his yard, doing carpentry, spending time with his shepherds, and frequently visiting his grandchildren. “Rio Vista lost a great, great person,” Bidou said.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Tadewald’s favorite charities, the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Services have not yet been announced.

Female East Bay Firefighters Urge More Women To Join Ranks

(Top left) Theresa Vouchilas of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District; (top right) Shawnay Tarquinio of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District; Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District engineer Theresa Vouchilas, 31, battles a vehicle fire. (Photos courtesy of Theresa Vouchilas and Shawnay Tarquinio)

Five women spoke in an interview about the challenges and rewards of their front-line jobs as firefighters for East Bay fire districts.

Bay City News, News Partner Posted Tue, Apr 13, 2021 at 10:20 pm PT
Local News Matters

By Nick Marnell, Bay City News Foundation

EAST BAY, CA — Adding women to the ranks of firefighters has been a slow and often difficult process, but a diverse group of female fighters in Contra Costa County say it’s been well worthwhile. Battalion Chief Sidney Jackett and engineer Amy Miller of the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, firefighters Maria Castellanos and Shawnay Tarquinio of the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District and engineer Theresa Vouchilas of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District spoke in an interview about the challenges and rewards of their front-line jobs. They strongly encouraged other women to follow in their footsteps.

Why did the women choose the fire service in the first place, entering a profession rife with nontraditional hours, mental and emotional stress, and potentially life-endangering emergency calls daily?

“When I was little, my sister was bitten by a dog,” said Vouchilas, 31, now seven years with Rodeo-Hercules Fire. “The firefighter saved her life. That’s what I wanted to do.”

Castellanos, 29, grew up around the corner from a fire station and loved watching the crews at work. “They always looked like they were having fun. I saw how fired up they were about their jobs and it got me fired up,” she said. “That’s when I knew I was going to be a firefighter.”

As she had never met a female firefighter, “let alone one my size,” the 5-foot-2 Tarquinio never felt that firefighting was a career she could relate to. “But the job description? That I could definitely relate to,” she said, two years with San Ramon Valley Fire, and now six-months pregnant. In January, she was assigned to lighter administrative and medical tasks, and hopes to return to active duty two months after her child’s birth.

The women spoke freely of the challenges they face.

Tarquinio, 30, worried that she would struggle to overcome the physical challenges. “It also took time to grasp the military environment,” she said.

“When I was working in Antioch, a good night’s sleep was if you could catch four hours straight,” said Jackett.

Fire crews typically work 48 consecutive hours, followed by four days off.

But no challenge matched the unimaginable shock Miller, 44, experienced in 2007 — her fourth year with Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “I was going off shift, and I told the crew I would see them the next day. When I came in to relieve them in the morning, I was told the captain and a firefighter had been killed,” Miller recalled. The firefighters died trying to save a couple inside a burning house in San Pablo; they are the only firefighter incident-related deaths in district history.

The frustrations of some older female firefighters, such as being forced to run extra flights of stairs laden with ladders and hoses, or being shunned by male firefighters, were barely mentioned by the group.

“Back then, if someone said Sidney was a great firefighter, some of the older people had to see it for themselves,” said Jackett, 41, a 19-year Contra Costa County Fire Protection District veteran. “But most of those people are gone now.”

The women said that today’s challenges did not include hazing or harassment. “I was the first female firefighter in the district. The guys had more of a challenge than I did,” Vouchilas said. Instead, the women acknowledged the mental and emotional stresses of the job.

A 2018 fire service survey conducted by the International Association of Fire Fighters and nbcnewyork.com found that 65 percent of the respondents struggled with memories of difficult calls, and 59 percent had family or relationship problems as a result of their jobs. Substance abuse issues were experienced by 27 percent, while 19 percent had thoughts of suicide.

“We’re getting more responsible about our mental health and I am glad that people lean on each other,” Miller said.

Jackett agreed. “People are willing to call and ask for help. That’s not something that would have been done 20 years ago,” she said.

The battalion chief said she was “super proud” to have been part of the district’s critical incident stress management team, an intervention group designed to help firefighters deal with traumatic events. And she said the team has made progress.

“Over three-quarters of our people admit that the job affects them in some way,” Jackett said. But none of these issues detract from the pride the women feel about the fire service; in fact, they relish the opportunity to mentor and to serve as role models. “People with young daughters see me and say, ‘Wow, my daughter wants to be a firefighter too. You are exactly who she wants to be!'” said Castellanos, nearly two years into her San Ramon Valley Fire career. “It’s great for young girls to see me, and that I can be their role model.”

Recent data from Contra Costa County fire agencies shows that out of 706 career firefighters, 28 are women, almost exactly at the national average of 4 percent. The women interviewed for this article want to see that percentage grow and shared advice for those who seek to join the industry.

“Train a lot. Lift weights. Get strong. Be physically fit, and be assertive. You can do this if you put in the time and effort,” Castellanos said.

Vouchilas, a sports star in high school, spoke just as passionately. “If your heart is in it, make it happen. Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot,” she said, while Jackett focused on the excitement of the job duties themselves. “If you don’t want to do the same thing every day, and if you want to show up for work and have no idea what’s going to happen, this career is right for you,” she said.

“A career in the fire service will push you further than you may realize you are capable of. And it will take work, patience and sacrifice,” Tarquinio said. “But it will be your most rewarding feeling ever.”