Ground breaks at new fire station, to be dedicated to fallen firefighters

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and local dignitaries will break ground on a new fire station in San Pablo on Tuesday morning, according to fire officials.

The new Fire Station 70 at 1800 23rd St. will replace what fire officials say are temporary facilities that have been in use since the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Board of Supervisors Chair John Gioia and San Pablo Mayor Rich Kinney are scheduled to attend.

Once the station is complete, it will be dedicated to Fire Capt. Matt Burton and Fire Engineer Scott Desmond per a decree from the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and Advisory Fire Committee. Burton and Desmond died trying to rescue an elderly couple trapped in a burning home on Michele Drive in the Montalvin Manor neighborhood in 2007, according to fire officials.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday is set for 10 a.m.