Westminster highlights wildland deployment to California; council presses for fire preparedness details

Westminster city staff confirmed the city led a multi‑agency wildland strike team to California and said lessons learned and hydrant maintenance information will be provided to council as part of continuing emergency preparedness work.

City Manager John Andrews told council that Westminster had deployed a strike team operating near Malibu and the Palisades, including resources from West Metro Fire, Thornton Fire, Windsor Fire and Denver Fire. "We are definitely wishing our professionals in our fire service to be safe and I do appreciate their contributions to the efforts in California," Andrews said.

Public commenters had raised concern about local wildfire risk; Joan Palmer told council she and other residents worried the city needed stronger protections and that resources should be prioritized for fire readiness. "We need to be well protected," Palmer said during public comment.

Councilor DeMott asked staff to bring a presentation on mitigation and lessons learned when the wildland team returns. He also asked for a briefing on the city's fire hydrant testing schedule so residents can be assured of readiness; Andrews agreed to follow up and to provide hydrant flushing program details.

Councilor Azadi asked whether the fire department would present budget requests after a ballot question failed in November; Fire Chief Eric Berg said the department will include capital and staffing needs in the upcoming 2026 budget presentation and organizational goals session. "We will also have the opportunity to review some organizational goals, which will speak to infrastructure, some potential staffing challenges," Berg said.

No new appropriations or policy actions were adopted during the Jan. 13 meeting; staff committed to provide the requested technical information and to brief council on the wildland deployment experience.