The Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate Jay
Huyssoon, as the 2021 Grand Marshal of the 73rd Annual Bass Derby and
Festival Parade.
This year’s parade theme is “Hometown Heroes.”
A fitting honor for Jay that has given over 40 years of service.
Here are some of the highlights of his career.
In 1966-1970 he served in the U.S. Marine Corp. (a position he is
quite proud of). In 1971 Jay was hired as a Reserve Firefighter for
the Antioch Fire Dept.
Then in 1974 he was hired as a full time Firefighter for the Antioch Fire Dept.
1978-1999. Was promoted through the ranks of Engineer, Captain,
Training Chief of the Riverview Fire District (when Antioch,
Pittsburg, West Pittsburg combined to form the new District through
consolidation).
2000-2002 – Training Chief and promoted to Battalion Chief of Contra
Costa County Fire District, (when Riverview consolidated with Con
Fire). Was also the Reserve Program Coordinator 2003 to 2015. Hired as
1st full time Fire Chief of Cordelia Fire District.
2015 – Interim Fire Chief of Rio Vista Fire Department.
During his tenure in the Fire Service, he obtained his Master’s Degree
in Emergency Services Management.
He is a Master Instructor for the California State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Jay has helped write training manuals currently in use in the State of
California.
He obtained his limited Teaching Credential in 1982 and taught various
Fire Academies and classes through Los Medanos College, University of
Nevada, Reno and Solano College.
He currently trains Mexican Firefighters and delivers fire equipment
to fire departments in Baja Sur, Mexico with special emphasis to
Mulege, Mexico. Hank and Judy Tussy of Rio Vista, first introduced
the Rio Vista Rotary Club to Mulege approximately 50 years ago. Rio
Vista Rotary is maintaining that contact and helping the small town
with various projects such as, the computers in the schools and fire
equipment. Jay has been that contact, making 4 or 5 trips until Covid
stopped it. He is planning another trip this next month to take a
piece of fire apparatus down to Mexico.
Throughout his entire career of over 40 years, one thing has been a
priority, and that is training firefighters to safely do their jobs.
It is a love he now shares with Mexican Bomberos and has gained
several new friends south of the border.
He is a great ambassador for Rio Vista and Rio Vista Rotary Club. Has
lived on Sherman Island for 38 years and has been active in the
community.
Congratulations to Jay Huyssoon. Please come out and celebrate and
honor Jay at the parade on Sunday, October 10th at noon on Main Street, in
Rio Vista.
The parade is sponsored by Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, in Lodi.
