Probationary firefighter gives look inside Richmond Fire Department

Richmond Fire Department probationary firefighter AJ Schindler experienced his most memorable day on the job earlier this year when he battled his first blaze.

As Schindler was returning to the station from a medical call, news squawked over the radio that a nearby structure was engulfed in flames. Schindler and other firefighters in the area raced to the scene.

As he approached Clinton Avenue, Schindler saw smoke billowing from the a two-story house. Fire lashed out of its front door and windows.

“There was no time to be nervous or scared or anything, just ready to go,” Schindler said.

He and his fellow Richmond firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze, which was in a densely populated area. There were no casualties.

“I just remember being gassed and thinking man that was a lot of work,” Schindler said.

The Richmond Fire Department has fought 57 residential fires throughout the city thus far this year.

The Point Richmond firefighters at Station 61 have responded to all sorts of crises including structure fires, wildfires, water main breaks, gas leaks, people trapped in cars, home lockouts, suspected cases of arson and various medical emergencies.

Below is a breakdown of the calls received at Station 61 from Jan. 1 to Sept. 4, 2014:

The Point Richmond Fire Department is located at: 140 W Richmond Ave, Richmond, CA 94801.