Candidate for
Director; Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District

William "Bill" Prather, 55 years of fire service involvement & wonderful memories for a career that I loved I became a member of the Pinole Fire Department in October 1959 at age 17! The department has one paid Chief, Pepper Martin and 26 "Volunteer" firemen! The fire whistle summoned the volunteers when they were needed. I lived across the street from the old fire station on Plum Street. I spent many hours checking the fire engines and exploring the many tools of the trade. I read every book and fire magazine that I could find dealing with fire departments and training.

It was at age 19 that I decided that I wanted to become a paid, professional fireman for my career. I was fortunate in 1962 to read an advertisement for Hoseman, Richmond Fire Department. In 1962 Richmond was the "big kid on the block" as fire departments were concerned. Consolidation had not started in other parts of Contra Costa County. Richmond was the only department in the state to allow a person to test at age 18 and to be hired at 19! I took the exam and posted on the hiring list in the #9 place on the hiring list. 7 men were hired in May 1962 and 11 more were hired in Jan 1, 1963. I was one of 11 to be trained under the watchful eye of Drill Master, Captain Jack Diffin. In July 1967 I was promoted to Captain after posting number one on the examination. I was fortunate to be posted to a two company station and worked for 6 months at Truck 3 with one of the finest Fire Captains on the job. I was then transferred to the busiest engine company in Richmond, Station #2 at 5th & McDonald. I was interested in training and became known as the go to guy for new firemen. I enjoyed teaching the new guys and the veterans the tricks of the trade. Schools and drills were made realistic and it was never just the same old, same old. I tried to enliven the shifts with humor and a good to instill a positive working atmosphere but always demanded that the men come to the station prepared to give the citizens their best! My career was cut short due to an injury and after 6 surgeries I was retired. It was a disappointment as the Fire Service was my heart and soul. In 1994 I became interested in the future of fire service and had the opportunity to run for an open seat on the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District. I was elected in 1994 and have been reelected 4 more times. This year, 2014 I am running for my sixth term and it is the most critical election in our District's long history! In the olden days we had only two things to give those that needed help; Courtesy and Service! That has not changed today but sadly some attitudes have changed and yes, the fire service has changed too. Today we are more the "Emergency Service" provider rather than Firemen. Even the name has been changed to "Firefighter" but unfortunately we do not have that many fires to fight! Fires now account for a mere 7%-10% of our emergency calls. Fewer smokers, cell phones, smoke detectors and redevelopment of old fire traps and new construction with stringent building codes have made fire events almost a thing of the past! This is why I believe that we need real change in the thinking of how we deliver our service today. Change is difficult in the fire service but with those who are willing to think outside the box and can convince those working today that change is our future we can do it together. I remain committed to public safety and the improvement of the service we deliver. I promoted Paramedics for our District and I stand ready to make additional changes to improve our service and to get the public back in supporting the fire service when we have a legitimate need for additional tax dollars. We need to earn the respect of the voter and the citizens we serve. It must be real and not feel good!