Assistant Chief Dennis Lally: Quito station aging but response times remain strong

Assistant Chief Dennis Lally of the Santa Clara County Fire Department presented a six‑month conditions report to the Monte Sereno City Council, outlining a major district expansion, new apparatus acquisitions and facility needs. "My name is Dennis Lally. I'm assistant chief, with the Santa Clara County Fire Department," Lally said, and described that the district "tripled in size" after absorbing the former South Santa Clara County Fire District and has procured rescue engines, water tenders and additional type‑1 apparatus scheduled for delivery in early 2027.

Lally flagged Quito (Keogh) Fire Station as roughly 77 years old and said replacement costs for a modern station approach $15,000,000, so the department is pursuing a feasibility study and interim upgrades such as a new roof and HVAC. He provided operational details: Quito Station staffs nine assigned personnel who operate on 48‑hour tours, a water tender with 2,500 gallons supports hill responses, and average total response times for most of the city are "just over 6 minutes." When council raised a sharp increase in incident counts (from 243 the prior year to roughly 500 in the latest period), Lally said the rise reflected expanded district call assignments and dispatch‑zone changes — not a proportional jump in fires within Monte Sereno itself.