Dave Brannigan has served as chief for three years.
Dave Brannigan
Posted inCity
The Berkeley Hills are kindling: City takes steps to tackle wildfire danger
A resolution approved by the Berkeley City Council will influence future funding to prioritize vegetation removal, clearing pathways and other prevention measures.
Posted inCity
Residents ‘evacuated’ in city’s first-ever wildfire drill
A car fire on Tunnel Road quickly spread Sunday into trees and houses, prompting residents to flee. This was only a drill; two more are coming.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Cigarette fire displaces 3 from Berkeley senior housing; Mo’Joe closed for now
Three residents of a senior housing complex have been displaced by a fire authorities believe began Sunday with a visitor’s lit cigarette. Water damage also temporarily closed Mo’Joe Café.
Posted inCity
City wildfire evacuation drills start in August (and it’s not too late to join in)
For the first time ever, starting this weekend, the city of Berkeley will hold a series of one-hour wildfire evacuation drills to help community members and first responders practice preparing for an emergency.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley Fire Department rescue swimmers pull woman from bay
Rescue swimmers from the Berkeley Fire Department pulled a 35-year-old woman from the San Francisco Bay on Thursday night, authorities report.
Posted inCommunity
PG&E helicopter slated to continue work in East Bay Hills this week
That helicopter over the weekend? It was scanning for trees that could fall on power lines. Expect more aerial activity this week.
Posted inCity
East Bay fire agencies call for public self-defense: ‘It’s not if a fire occurs, but when’
After the most destructive year for wildfires in California history, local agencies urged residents to take simple preventative measures.
Posted inCrime & Safety
12 people displaced after fire in northwest Berkeley home
A two-alarm fire on Hearst Avenue displaced 12 people from a northwest Berkeley home on Saturday morning, authorities report.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Berkeley ambulance catches fire during patient transport; no injuries
A Berkeley Fire Department ambulance caught fire in the Berkeley Hills while taking a patient to the hospital Wednesday night, authorities report.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Foam from garbage truck fire likely was ‘primary culprit’ in steelhead trout kill
More than 60 steelhead trout were killed in Berkeley’s Codornices Creek recently, likely as a result of 20 gallons of foam retardant used to extinguish a garbage truck fire in early April, authorities report.
Posted inCommunity
Berkeley celebrates legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at community gathering
The annual breakfast is not only a time to award students and organizations for their contributions, but to remind the community that work is still needed in Berkeley to achieve economic and racial justice.