Some civil servants are honored after a long and influential career with a gold watch. Wednesday night, Al Mazza got a fire station.
The matter of a tribute to Mazza, a former Sonoma mayor, councilmember and fire chief, was on the city council agenda. Mayor Ken Brown had made formal a proposal, endorsed throughout the community, that the new historical museum at the fire station be named after Mazza.
“That didn’t go far enough,” said Council Member Steve Barbose. “Let’s name the fire house for him.”
The impromptu announcement delighted a chamber full of Mazza supporters. After tributes from fellow firefighters – “he dedicated his life to the fire department and the city,” said one — the 5-0 vote was almost an afterthought.
“If I’ve ever seen a slam dunk at this level, this is it,” quipped Council Member August Sebastiani.
“Al Mazza has been an innovator for a long time,” said Fire Chief Phillip Garcia. “He brought EMS to Valley.”
Mayor Ken Brown said that when he first joined the council, Mazza had been a big influence on him. “He showed by example – do the hard work necessary to get the job done.”
With the announcement that the city’s Fire Station No. 1 will now be known as the Al Mazza Fire Station, the crowd erupted in cheers. Mazza offered a few humble thanks, which were met with a standing ovation.
