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Torrance County consolidates six volunteer fire districts into two to streamline training and purchasing
Summary
The Board approved Resolution 2025-42 to dissolve six fire districts and form northern and southern districts; Fire Chief Gary Smith said consolidation will centralize purchasing, improve training and help lower insurance ISO ratings over time.
The Torrance County Commission unanimously approved Resolution 2025-42 to dissolve six volunteer fire districts and create two new districts — a Northern District (former Districts 2, 3 and 5) and a Southern District (former Districts 1, 4 and 6).
"It gives us a better span of control, a better opportunity to disperse our very limited volunteer sources into other areas where they need to be placed, along with equipment," County Fire Chief Gary Smith told the board, arguing that pooled purchasing and centralized training would reduce costs and improve operational consistency. Smith cited September call volumes — "150 calls in September for the Northern Region, versus 41 in the Southern Region" — to explain why response needs differ across the county. The resolution delegates signature authority to the County Manager to implement the reorganization and the Commission voted 3-0 to adopt it.
