Stinson Beach Fire Protection District seeks county support to build new fire station amid staffing changes

Carl Nichols, representing the Stinson Beach Fire Protection District, told the Board of Supervisors on Monday that the district is in the midst of a multi‑year fundraising campaign to build a new fire station as the district moves from a largely volunteer force toward a professionalized department. Nichols said the volunteer workforce aged and became less reliable and that visitation and climate risks have increased demand for services.

Nichols asked the county for financial commitment or other forms of support — either a one‑time grant or multi‑year structure — to leverage local fundraising and unlock community contributions. He cited examples of neighboring counties where multiple veterans and community buildings exist, and said Stinson Beach needs similar county engagement to complete the project.

Supervisors thanked Nichols for the presentation and asked staff to include the request among other capital and one‑time requests being evaluated in the spring budget process. The county noted the broader capital improvement program and budgeting steps that will determine whether and how the request can be funded.