Bill Gillespie, Assistant Fire Chief / Fire Marshal The focus of the Eureka Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau is to prevent fires and injuries, and limit the affects of fires and accidents. Our goals are achieved through education, engineering, and code enforcement. Guiding our efforts is a common sense approach, recognizing economic factors, and the needs and desires of the community. The Fire Prevention Bureau is under the leadership of Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal Bill Gillespie.

Rusty Goodlive, Fire Captain II / Prevention Fire Captain II Rusty Goodlive conducts inspections of new construction and building remodels. He reviews construction plans for code compliance and works with other City of Eureka departments to create seamless project development. He leads our investigator cadre and provides for code enforcement where needed. He also coordinates the annual inspections of all businesses in Eureka, which are inspected primarily by engine company personnel.

Fire Inspector Bill Walser conducts inspections of all facilities required by state law to be inspected.These occupancies include care facilities, halfway houses, and apartments.He also provides oversight to our weed and trash abatement program, which, by Eureka Municipal Code, is assigned to the Fire Department.

• Some of the activities used to enhance our community fire and life safety include:
• Public education
• Fire extinguisher training
• Smoke alarms
• Seasonal Issues (Fireworks, Christmas Trees, Halloween Safety)
• Freddie the Fire Engine
• First Aid and CPR classes
• Development of Countywide Fire Prevention Standards
• Business inspections
• State mandated inspections
• Review of construction plans
• Permits for special events
• Investigation of all fires for cause and origin
• Provide training

The Fire Prevention Bureau also provides oversight to the Regional Hazardous Material Response Team (HMRT).The HMRT responds to emergencies that involve hazardous materials and helps to keep any released material from spreading throughout the community.The Community Right-To-Know program is managed by Humboldt County Department of Environmental Health.

The City of Eureka has a false alarm ordinance (EMC 32.35-55) that helps us to reduce the number of fire and police responses to false alarms.This Eureka Municipal Code item is managed by Fire Service Officer Lisa Pulver.The first two false alarms generate a letter of warning.The third and subsequent alarms result in progressive fees.If false alarms at occupancy continue without correction, the City of Eureka will terminate the alarm permit.