The Moraga-Orinda Fire District solidified its commitment to increased fire prevention by upping Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Dennis Rein's position to full time and adding equipment, programs and personnel to fend off a potentially devastating fire season. The district commitment is in addition to the $6 million state grant for creation of a shaded fuel break in north Orinda and along the Lafayette Ridge.
Rein, who retired as fire chief of the East Bay Regional Park District in 2006, has been with MOFD since 2011 on a part-time basis refining emergency operations plans and preparing emergency operations drills, plus working with local groups like the Lamorinda Community Emergency Response Team. He will work his increased hours through December organizing and supporting district fire operations, including the North Orinda Fuel Break program.
"The extra hours are going to allow us to go to the next level," Rein said. "We are getting much more involved with the community right now."