Contra Costa supervisors approve new funding for wild fire mitigation, new stations

MARTINEZ, CALIF., (Dec. 5, 2021) — The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has approved recommended funding allocations for county fire departments. The funding will change the face of fire service across the county.

The supervisors voted unanimously to support the proposal. They also paired it with investments in the county hospital, health services, emergency response, and sustainability that will markedly improve the county’s fire resilience.

The approvals pave the way for the long-planned annexation of East Contra Costa Fire into the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The move immediately funds station construction costs for Fire Station 54 and Fire Station 51 in Brentwood. Both stations are necessary to meet current service level demands according to analysis by East Contra Costa Fire.

50% increase

Contra Costa Fire will add an additional apparatus and engine company to Fire Station 81 in Antioch. As a result, the total number of engine companies serving east county residents increases by 50%.

Board Chair Diane Burgis said, “This funding approved by the board, together with the ongoing annexation of East Contra Costa Fire into Con Fire, will result in station construction and staffing for a total of six stations in the current East Contra Costa Fire service area as well as the reopening of an additional station in Antioch. In short, there will be a 50% increase in the number of engine companies in the area I represent. Those companies will be staffed with advanced life support paramedics, so it’s not just more service and quicker response times, it’s better service for residents.”

Burgis added: “I want to thank all of the partner agencies and community members who have worked so hard to get us to this point. I epecially thank, Fire Chiefs Lewis Broschard and Brian Helmick and the East Contra Costa County Fire Department.”