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City accepts fire department risk assessment; report recommends station upgrades, training center and marine safety steps
Summary
The council accepted a community risk assessment, standards of cover and deployment analysis that recommends station upgrades, a new training center, a fireboat and consideration of a 12‑hour surge unit to address underserved areas and future demand driven by UCSC growth.
The City Council accepted a comprehensive community risk assessment, standards of cover and deployment analysis prepared with AP Triton that evaluated Santa Cruz Fire Department operations, facilities, and response performance.
Findings and recommendations AP Triton and the department presented a point‑in‑time study that found the department is generally sized for today’s risk profile but faces capital and staffing challenges. Consultant David Rocha said operationally "the department is appropriately sized for the risk that you have today," while noting gaps in station condition, a lack of a dedicated training facility, marine safety supervisory staffing needs, and long apparatus delivery times.
Key recommendations in the report include: - Facility investments: remodels to several stations, major overhaul or rebuild of headquarters, and a recommended new Station 5/training complex to address an underserved northeastern corridor; - Marine safety: acquisition of an all‑risk fire/rescue vessel rather than relying on borrowed boats; - Staffing and deployment: consider a 12‑hour surge unit to relieve heavy unit utilization at Stations 1 and 2; strengthen training staff; and track reserve‑unit utilization consistently; - Data and performance: adopt performance standards and quality assurance for dispatch, turnout and travel time reporting and improve data integration across lifeguard and fire reporting systems.
Council action Council member [moved the staff recommendation]; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote. Council members asked about funding options, regional collaboration and the role of UCSC growth in future demand. The chief and staff identified federal and state grants (including port security grants for marine assets), apparatus replacement reserves, and public safety impact fees as potential revenue sources. Staff also noted an existing apparatus replacement fund and recent investments in rolling stock.
Public comment Residents and stakeholders — including representatives who referenced county consolidation feasibility studies and community safety pilot programs — urged a focus on regional coordination, evacuation planning and seismic resilience for infrastructure in tsunami and liquefaction‑prone areas.
Next steps Staff will incorporate the report recommendations into the department’s capital and staffing plans, pursue grant opportunities (including port security funding for marine assets), and present prioritized facility and apparatus proposals in future budget cycles.
Ending Council framed the report as a strategic roadmap to guide capital investment and deployment changes to keep pace with development, UCSC growth and changing emergency demand.
