Kings County ends fire services contract with Avenal, cites public-safety breaches

Kings Countys Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to terminate the countys fire service contract with the City of Avenal effective March 28, 2026, at 5 p.m., county officials said at a March 28 press conference.

The county executive officer said the action followed an emergency meeting after the county learned the city planned an event in the still-unfinished Avenal Community Center and that the city manager issued a temporary certificate of occupancy in defiance of the county fire chiefs safety directive. "The board voted unanimously to terminate the Avenal fire service contract for breach of contract effective 03/28/2026 at 5PM," the county executive officer said.

John Chamberlain, Kings County fire chief and director of emergency services, said county inspectors found several life-safety deficiencies at the venueincluding no electricity, no fire alarm, an untested sprinkler system and an inadequate domestic water supplyand that the county advised moving the event outdoors. "It was never about the event. It was always about the safety of the people in the community," Chamberlain said.

Chamberlain said the county monitored the event from the roadway and did not enter the unfinished building because of liability concerns; he also said he has documentation that the temporary certificate references approval by the citys fire chief but that the certificate itself was signed by the city manager. County officials told reporters they attempted repeatedly to contact the city's newly hired fire chief without success.

As part of operational adjustments, Chamberlain said he ordered the closure of Kings County Fire Station 12 and reassigned its personnel, with response plans relying on mutual-aid agreements and cooperation with neighboring agencies. "There will be no difference in paramedic service as American Ambulance is the ALS provider," he said, while adding that some response times may be modestly longer under mutual-aid arrangements.

Supervisor Richard Vallee, who represents District 2, praised the fire departments decision and framed the termination as a measure to uphold standards and public safety. Board Chair Rusty Robinson said the action was taken after a careful review of facts and contractual obligations and emphasized the county's responsibility to protect residents.

County officials said they are working with Cal Fire, Fresno County Fire and other partners to ensure continuity of service and urged residents that the county is not abandoning the city of Avenal. The board reported the termination action out of closed session into open session and answered media questions before adjourning.

What happens next: County staff said they will continue implementing mutual-aid protocols and working with Avenal leadership on service continuity. The county also said it will review the temporary-certificate paperwork and other documentation related to the citys decision to occupy the building prior to any full restoration of contracted services.