New Fire Engine for Firebaugh Volunteers

April 16 - The City of Firebaugh Fire Department has taken delivery of a new 2007 Smeal Fire apparatus.

The fire truck which was delivered Thursday, April 3, cost just less than $3,000,000 and was purchased with joint funding of the City of Firebaugh and a Community Facilities grant, which is administered by the United States Department of Agriculture.

It is the product of City Council and Staff workshops called Vision 2000 in which capital expenditures and other projects in the City are planned several years in advance with known projected completion dates.

When this new apparatus is placed in service, an existing fire truck will be refurbished, which is the process of modernizing and updating to current standards. This $55,000.00 project is to be accomplished with another Community Facilities grant from the USDA.

The city of Firebaugh Fire Department operates four fire fighting vehicles and is manned with an all volunteer staff of 26 men and women, under the command of Chief John Borboa.

The Department provides fire, rescue and emergency medical services for the City of Firebaugh and contracted areas of both the County of Madera and county of Fresno. It responds to approximately 600 incidents per year.

Mendota Breaks Ground for Rojas-Pierce Expansion

April 9 - Officials and guests gathered in Mendota’s Rojas-Pierce Park on Wednesday, April 2, to mark the ground breaking for a $2 million improvement project which Mayor Robert Silva said would make the park the "pride of the Westside."

The City of Mendota along with SSA Landscape Architects, Inc. have put together a design for a community park spanning 22 acres and incorporating a variety of recreational features. Phase 1 of the park includes one baseball field, three age appropriate playground facilities, a splash park, three basketball courts, restroom/concession building, picnic areas, walking/jogging/bike trails, and community gardens and has a total projected cost of over $ 2 million dollars.

The project has been long awaited by community members and the final product will provide a destination for families to gather, play, and enjoy life in the City.

Perma-Green Hydroseeding, Inc., of Gilroy, was awarded the bid. The construction is expected to be completed late this year.

Kids Enjoy Firebaugh Easter Egg Hunt

Fresno County Landmarks Commission Tours Firebaugh

Members of the Fresno County Historical Landmarks and Records Advisory Commission recently toured Firebaugh.

The group was scouting out historic property and landmarks on Saturday, March 8. Helping the group find its way around town was John Baltierra.

The commissioners visited the site of the first Firebaugh cemetery, the Firebaugh ferry, the old city jail and several historical buildings, including Rebecchi’s Dept. Store and the old Miller and Lux building (now Westside Drugs).

The group is also on the lookout for lists of business in operation for 100 or more years, farms in operation with the same family and homes of the same age.

School Facing Financial Strain

March 12, 2008 -- St. Joseph’s School is a jewel tucked away deep in a quiet Firebaugh neighborhood along the San Joaquin River.

Opened 42 years ago, the school was the culmination of efforts by St. Joseph Church parishioners, whose dream was to send their children to a school which could provide a strong religious foundation as well as an academic one. Enrollment peaked in the 1970’s when Firebaugh prospered as a booming agricultural hub.

During the past few years, however, the school has been forced to cut programs and staffing as a result a sluggish economy, decline of agriculture in the area, and increased health insurance and operating costs. Several grade levels are doubled up in the same classroom in order to keep operating expenses at a minimum.

The devotion and dedication of the six teachers and principal who provide instruction in this preschool through eighth grade school is truly admirable. There are 83 students currently enrolled from Firebaugh, Dos Palos, and Mendota.

This school is exceptional in many ways. There is a genuine feeling of safety at this modest school that possesses a family atmosphere that is felt as soon as you step foot on school grounds. The teachers and staff care for and teach the children as if they were their own. Visitors to the classroom are greeted by the children who will rise to their feet and say in cheerful unison "Good morning/Good afternoon Mr. /Mrs " This simple gesture of respect embodies the core values that are taught daily and serve to remind parents, teachers, staff and members of our community why they are so fiercely loyal to this school thatalthough small in size is large in spirit.

The families of each student are required to volunteer 100 hours every year to aid in fundraising, classroom projects, coaching, and any other tasks involved in the operation of the school. Tuition, which is about $300 per month, accounts for approximately 40-45% of the school’s annual budget. The remainder is procured through fundraisers, donations, and in the last several year’s Diocesan financial support.

On December 19, 2007 at a Parish Forum meeting the financial situation of St. Joseph’s School was disclosed as was the news that the Diocese is no longer in the position to support the school financially as it has previously done. As a result, the school is now facing the possibility of closing its doors unless it can provide a long term plan that shows it can be self sufficient and financially independent of the Diocese.

Many things have changed since the school’s inception. The Sister’s of the Immaculate Conception, who so lovingly served the school for over two decades, and the Carmelite Sisters who followed as well as numerous Pastors and administrators have come and gone but the one thing that has remained constant is the unwavering resolve of the parents and of these communities in their continuing support of this school, and this is what St. Joseph’s School is counting on.

Parish leaders, parents, staff, alumni, community members, and others have banded together to form committees for enrollment and sponsorship; grant writing, and the development of an alumni association. They have increased their fundraising efforts and made appeals to other parishes and the community. How successful they are in the next few months will determine the future of this parochial school. They are a school praying for a miracle. To find out how you can help call St. Joseph School at 559-659-2841.

Drill Tests Emergency Response in Firebaugh

West Hills College North District Center in Firebaugh was the scene of an emergency drill on Wednesday, Feb. 27. A simulated explosion and fire, with several casualties, gave college staff a chance to test its "Incident Command System" team. The ICS team consists of individuals from the district office as well as the center. In the event of a real emergency, the ICS team would work together with all response agencies to meet the needs of the emergency.

The scenario was that an explosion and fire was kicked off in a classroom lab in the center, a satelite operation of Coalinga’s West Hills College, located on Ninth St. One man died, and about a half-dozen others were injured. Local students and even the occasional passer-by were recruited to play the victims and others at the scene. The Firebaugh Police Dept., Firebaugh Fire and paramedic services were on hand as well.

Grant Helps Firebaugh Computer Center