Special Projects Committee
Part 2

II. COUNTY FIRE STAFFING

BACKGROUND

The 1998-1999 Grand Jury began an investigation of the Hollister Fire Department and the California Department of Forestry/Fire Protection for San Benito County. Due to rapid population growth, and concern about adequate fire protection in the community, it was recommended that the investigation be continued by the 1999-2000 Grand Jury. 

This report is a follow-up to last year's investigation of the county's ability to provide adequate fire protection staffing. The primary concern was to insure inclusion of the entire county, not just the City of Hollister, in fire protection planning. Interest in the matter increased when the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for San Benito County requested an increase in its funding, due to legislation requiring minimum staffing levels.

METHOD OF REVIEW

Visits

City of Hollister Fire Department
San Benito County Administration Office

Interviews
Changes: deletion of names of interviewees

OBSERVATIONS, FINDINGS, AND CONCLUSIONS

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection made a presentation to the entire Grand Jury during a regularly scheduled meeting. The Grand Jury was informed of the reasons for a request that the county increase funds budgeted for county fire protection. This was necessitated by the rule of "two in, two out," a California State statutory requirement setting forth the minimum staffing level when fighting structure fires.

The Grand Jury inspected the City of Hollister Fire Department. and was informed of the need to cross-train personnel and to expand the Fire Department's coverage to meet the "five-minute" response time. Additional fire stations are required in order to meet the needs of the rapidly growing City of Hollister and San Benito County and still stay within a five-minute response time. The "five-minute" response time is recommended as a national standard for all fire departments. The Hollister City Council has approved a second fire station but its location has not been determined. 

The Grand Jury met with the new Special Fire Protection Committee. The San Benito County Special Fire Protection Committee was formed to determine the fire protection needs of the county.

The Grand Jury finds that there remains a need to expand and upgrade fire protection for the entire community. The Grand Jury is not alone in being concerned about the issue as evidenced by the formation of the Special Fire Protection Committee at the end of 1999. The stated purpose of the Special Fire Protection Committee, to explore "alternatives to reduction or increase in fire protection," indicates that there is a countywide recognition that more needs to be done. This Committee consists of members from the following jurisdictions: City of Hollister, San Benito County Board of Supervisors, City of San Juan Bautista and Aromas

The charge of the Special Fire Protection Committee is to review the development of the city and county fire protection plans. Consolidation of the various county fire departments (City of Hollister Fire Department, San Benito County Fire Department, San Juan Fire Department, Aromas Fire Department, and CDF) was considered. The required "two in two out" rule and how it effects the County Fire Department and CDF was explored. The Grand Jury found that during the off season, the county and CDF do not have the staffing to meet this requirement. CDF has requested an increase in budget of $88,000 to increase staff. 

There is no "quick fix" to San Benito County's fire staffing problem. Any and all proposed solutions would require several years to evaluate and integrate into a countywide full safety/protection service. One of the main concerns is to incorporate the City Fire, County Fire and other Fire Districts into a Unified Fire District. The main goal of this plan would be to comply with the suggested five-minute response time. The Hollister City Fire Department has started to cross-train its staff to maximize the use of personnel. This procedure is also recommended for the county's Fire Department so that equipment and staffing work together.

CDF cannot continue to staff the county Fire Department at the current rate and meet the safety standards required by the citizens of Hollister and San Benito County. CDF claims that it would close down, and not be able to respond to fires effectively without the staffing required for the "two in/ two out" rule.

RECOMMENDATIONS