Fire Service Model & Station 74

Background

For most of its history, the City of Pinole operated just one fire station (Station 73). The City operated a second fire station (Station 74), from 2003 until 2011. The second station was closed due to lack of funding. Since the closure of Station 74, the City started exploring different options for reopening the station or otherwise expanding fire protection and emergency medical services. 

In November 2020, Contra Costa County voters approved Measure X, a half-cent countywide sales tax expected to generate approximately $100 million annually. In November 2021, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved various appropriations of Measure X revenues, including $2 million to help reopen Pinole’s Fire Station 74. 

Con Fire proposed to operate both Stations 73 and 74 on the City’s behalf, funded by the $2 million from Measure X and City funds currently appropriated to the Pinole Fire Department. 

Per State law, in order for Con Fire to provide fire protection services for Pinole, Con Fire had to receive approval from the Contra Costa County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), and Con Fire’s governing board (the Board of Supervisors) and the City Council must approve an agreement. Approval was achieved by all governing agencies. 

The Pinole City Council directed City staff to work with Con Fire staff to develop a potential agreement. City staff presented the draft agreement at a special City Council meeting on September 13, 2022. 

The City’s Fire Chief, the County Executive Fire Chiefs, the County Board of Supervisors, and the labor group representing Con Fire’s and Pinole Fire Department’s firefighters (IAFF Local 1230) all support the agreement. 

FAQs

Will the City continue to have its own Fire Department?

Under the proposed arrangement, the City of Pinole would no longer have its own Fire Department. Instead, emergency medical and fire protection services would be provided by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire), which will operate Fire Station 73 and Fire Station 74. If the agreement is terminated in the future, the City would need to reinstitute its own Fire Department.

Is the City firing all its firefighters?

All sworn uniformed personnel, except for the Fire Chief, will become Con Fire employees upon the changeover anticipated for March 2023.

Is the City giving away its stations (buildings) and all equipment?

The City will continue to own Station 73 and Station 74. Con Fire will lease these buildings to house their personnel and equipment. The current Pinole fire apparatus and equipment will be transferred to Con Fire, with its value considered in the apparatus replacement calculation.

Do the firefighters support this contract?

Yes, the firefighters support this contract. IAFF Local 1230, the labor group representing both Pinole and Con Fire employees, submitted a letter of consent for the contract and was a key stakeholder in securing $2 million in annual funding from County Measure X for this contract.

How much does it cost the City to contract with Con Fire vs. operating its own fire department?

According to an independent fiscal analysis, it would cost $8,665,357 in FY 2023-24 for the City to operate both Station 73 and Station 74, compared to $6,107,445 to operate both stations under contract with Con Fire. Additionally, it would cost $6,363,316 in FY 2023-24 for the City to operate Station 73 alone.