Board directs feasibility studies for two new fire stations, adds a third site to study; moves to pursue funding options

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted to fund feasibility studies for two county fire station projects and to add a third site for study, directing staff to return with revenue options to support station construction and additional staffing.

The board approved studies for a relocated Santa Margarita (Garden Farms) station and a permanent Oak Shores station, and — at the request of several residents and a board member — directed staff to include a feasibility analysis of a parcel offered near Lopez Drive/Biddle Regional Park in the East Arroyo Grande area. The board also asked staff to prepare options for potential revenue measures such as a benefit assessment or special tax to fund the broader county fire strategic plan.

County Fire Chief John Owens and administrative staff presented a status update on the department’s 2023 fire strategic plan and on two companion studies: an information technology (IT) strategic component and a paid-call firefighter (PCF) program review. Chief Owens said the department faces both near- and long-term needs: station relocations and new stations to improve response times, upgrading apparatus staffing to three-person crews, and adding paramedic/ALS capacity where feasible. He told the board that two projects — relocating Station 40 to serve Santa Margarita/Garden Farms and establishing a permanent Oak Shores station — are top priorities because land or equipment already exist that would limit the county’s upfront costs.

The county-conducted PCF program analysis by Resolute Associates concluded the paid-call/reserve model is no longer viable for county needs because of recruitment and retention declines and inconsistent availability. The study recommended “sunsetting” the PCF program, establishing a driver/operator program to maintain specialized equipment until three-person staffing can be funded, and incrementally funding full-time positions as finances permit. The board did not direct an immediate closure of staffed stations; Chief Owens recommended that PCFs be allowed to remain until they retire while the county moves toward funded full‑time staffing.

County IT Director Daniel Malay described an approximately $3.2 million estimate to implement IT initiatives needed to support the strategic plan and new stations (resilient connectivity, digitized inspections and records, and infrastructure for remote sites). Malay said the timeline and total cost depend on the pace of construction and that some solutions (e.g., Starlink satellite backup) can be used for remote sites, but additional dedicated IT staff for County Fire will be required.

Board members and many public speakers testified about local response-time gaps, medical calls, wildfire risk, and community willingness to donate land. Residents from Oak Shores, Varian Ranch, Rancho Estates and Las Ventanas described experiences with delayed responses and urged faster action. Members of Local 2081 and current and former paid-call firefighters described operational realities and expressed support for a phased path toward three‑person staffing and other improvements.

By motion, the board approved staff’s recommendation to fund feasibility and conceptual planning for Santa Margarita and Oak Shores and to allocate up to $750,000 to cover the combined consultant work if negotiated as a bundle; the board also directed staff to add the Lopez Drive/Biddle Park site (East Arroyo Grande) to the feasibility scope after landowner offers and to bring back options for revenue measures and a timeline for a possible 2026 measure. The motion passed in roll-call votes recorded on the floor.

The board’s action funds planning work only. Chief Owens and staff emphasized that any construction or staffing additions will require identified, ongoing funding and return to the board for future approvals.