Benicia CERT

10/28/2019

Benicia Advisory Lifted - 2:15 p.m.

AirNow -

10/28/2019

Benicia Air Quality Advisory:
The City of Benicia is issuing an advisory notice for all residents due to smoke from recent, local fires. There is no fire in Benicia.

Benicia is experiencing unhealthy air conditions. The unhealthy air quality may continue for a few days. The City of Benicia is advising residents to reduce exposure to the unhealthy air. We recommend that residents follow these tips to minimize adverse impacts from poor air quality:

• Avoid or limit outdoor activity
• Close all doors, windows, and any fireplace dampers. Cracks around doors and windows can be sealed with tape or damp towels
• Stay hydrated
• If the poor air quality is affecting you, consider temporarily staying in an area with better air quality
• Stay tuned to receive additional emergency announcements and instructions.

Benicia Fire Department personnel is performing regular air monitoring with portable air monitors. To check air quality, visit www.baaqmd.gov or www.airnow.gov

For non-emergency questions, please call 745-3411. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

Follow the City of Benicia Facebook and website (ci.benicia.ca.us) for routine updates. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are experiencing an emergency.

Are you and your family members registered for emergency alerts? If not, go to www.alertsolano.com. You tell us how you would like to be alerted (text, call, email), and what addresses in Benicia are important to you (home, work, school).

10/16/2019

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills is almost here. Practice how to Drop, Cover and Hold On at 10:17 a.m. on 10/17. Learn more. https://shakeout.org

10/04/2019

Plan your fire escape in less than a minute! This fire safety video will give kids the tools they need to be safe in under a minute!

09/03/2019

It's ! What are you doing to get yourself and your family prepared if disaster strikes? One thing we do to prepare is to test our emergency alert and siren systems on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. (heads up for tomorrow!).

Are you and your family members registered for emergency alerts? If not, go to www.alertsolano.com. You tell us how you would like to be alerted (text, call, email), and what addresses in Benicia are important to you (home, work, school).

We promise we won't bombard you with non-emergency messages and we won't share your personal information. If you're already registered, give yourself a big pat on the back and spread the word to your friends, family, and neighbors.

Alert Solano Registration Assistance:
Email: [email protected]

Benicia-Specific Questions:
Email: [email protected]
Call: 707-746-4749

Check out www.ready.gov for more preparedness tips

08/13/2019

The Benicia Fire Department reminds everyone that we are expecting sustained high temperatures over the next 3-4 days. If you’re looking for a cool place to hang out, head to:

Benicia Public Library(150 East L Street – designated cooling center)
Hours: Mon-Thur 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri-Sun Noon – 6 p.m.
*Thur 8/15 – Library will be closed due to construction for most of the day. May re-open late afternoon*

Benicia Community Center (370 East L Street)
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Benicia Parks & Community Services

Here are some tips to help you beat the heat:

☀️ Limit outdoor activity
✔️ Check on older folks, neighbors, children, & pets
💧 Hydrate
👕 Dress for the heat
🐶 Never leave people or pets in a car
🥵 Watch for heat-related illnesses
📢 Register for emergency alerts at www.AlertSolano.com

Check out more tips at www.ready.gov/heat

For non-emergencies, call the Benicia Fire Department at 707-746-4275. If you are experiencing a medical or life-threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1 so that our Benicia Fire Department Paramedics can come help you.

03/24/2019

*Valero Advisory Lifted*

03/24/2019

*Advisory Update*

Valero Advisory Update - 10 a.m.

Shortly after 9 a.m., the City of Benicia was advised that the Valero Benicia Refinery will be performing a controlled shutdown of the entire refinery. This shutdown is being conducted to improve conditions and minimize risk from earlier operational issues. This shutdown is expected to last for multiple days and will result in visible flaring.

Benicia Fire Department personnel continue to work with Solano County Environmental Health, Solano County Public Health, and Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).

The advisory notice continues for all residents with respiratory issues.

Those with respiratory compromise should do the following immediately:
• Go inside your home, workplace, or the nearest building that appears to be reasonably airtight and stay there.
• Close all doors, windows, and any fireplace dampers. Cracks around doors and windows can be sealed with tape or damp towels.
• Stay tuned to receive emergency announcements and instructions.
• Healthy individuals – limit outdoor activity.

Follow the City of Benicia Facebook and website (ci.benicia.ca.us) for routine updates. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are experiencing an emergency.

03/24/2019

*Advisory* - Please Share

*Advisory*

City of Benicia has issued advisory notice for all residents with respiratory issues due to particulate matter from an ongoing incident at the Valero Benicia Refinery.

Those with respiratory compromise should do the following immediately:
• Go inside your home, workplace, or the nearest building that appears to be reasonably airtight and stay there.
• Close all doors, windows, and any fireplace dampers. Cracks around doors and windows can be sealed with tape or damp towels.
• Stay tuned to receive emergency announcements and instructions.
• Healthy individuals – limit outdoor activity.

The concentration of particulate matter has become significantly higher over the past day. The emissions contain coke, a by-product of the refining process that is made up primarily of carbon particles. Testing of the coke involved in this release shows no heavy metals at harmful levels; however, it may cause discomfort when breathed in and can exacerbate (worsen) underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Check back for routine updates. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are experiencing an emergency.

03/14/2019

*Update* - Valero Benicia Refinery

See attached Press Release

03/12/2019

*Information Only – Non-Emergency - Valero Benicia Refinery*

City of Benicia and Benicia Fire Department were notified of operational issues with the Valero Flue Gas Scrubber. Fire personnel have been monitoring the air with portable monitors downwind of the refinery and all levels are within safe limits. We have received a number of calls regarding the visible emissions and odor from concerned community members. There is currently no threat to the community.

The Benicia Fire Department is working with Solano County Health and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and will continue to monitor the situation. We will notify the community if there are any significant changes.