Newark council authorizes extension of Alameda County Fire contract through 2030

The Newark City Council voted 5-0 on May 8 to authorize the city manager to execute a first amendment to the agreement with the Alameda County Fire Department that extends the contract through June 30, 2030.

The amendment, presented by Strategic Initiatives Manager Roya Gonzales and supported by City Manager Benun, keeps core services including fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response and technical rescue, affirms a six-minute total response-time goal, and incorporates updated five-year cost projections that staff said are budgeted for the current cycle. City staff described the change as a five-year extension option in the 2021 agreement and said only a few, primarily administrative, edits are included in the proposed amendment.

City Manager Benun said the city has received "exemplary" service from the Alameda County Fire Department since the contract began and noted that the amendment was brought to council because four new council members have joined the dais since the 2021 agreement. "For the years, the services that we've received from that department have been exemplary," Benun said.

Strategic Initiatives Manager Roya Gonzales told the council that…