News Blog
- Photo courtesy of the Arcata Fire Department
- Firefighters at the scene of a fatal apartment fire in the 100 block of Samoa Boulevard on Feb. 2.
The Arcata Fire District is closing one of the three fire stations in its area of service tomorrow as a result of the voters defeating Measure R, a special property tax that would have increased the district's budget by $2.2 million and allowed for maintaining current staffing levels and rebuilding depleted reserve funds.
“The failure of Measure R comes with layoffs and demotions to critical frontline personnel of the fire district,” reads the press release from AFD.
The Arcata Fire District Board of Directors will rotate station closures weekly to evaluate which station will permanently close.
- © 2020 North Coast Journal / Shutterstock
- Source: Arcata Fire Department
“Unfortunately, due to station closures and the rise in overlapping calls for service,
we may be delayed getting to your emergency. With our District covering 62 square miles, this means potentially waiting significantly longer to receive our services when you are in need. Please, when you need our service, call 911 EARLY,” the release states.
However, the department is emphasizing that the safety of the community is its top priority.
Arcata Fire Station Closure
On April 1st Arcata Fire District to close a fire station
(ARCATA) — On 02/11/20 Arcata Professional Firefighters Vice President issued a press release highlighting the importance of a yes vote for Measure R on the March 3, 2020 ballot. The press release outlined the service delivery model that the Arcata Fire District could maintain with a YES vote, as well as the potential ramifications of a NO vote.
Sadly, today we issue this press release to update our community that we are now closing a station. The failure of Measure R comes with layoffs and demotions to critical frontline personnel of the Fire District. Starting 04/01/2020, one of our three stations will close. In an effort to gather critical information to evaluate which station shall be permanently closed, the Fire District Board of Directors has opted to experiment with rotational station closures on a weekly basis.
“The people who live in our district depend on us to be there fast when seconds count,” said Scott Gordinier, Vice President of Arcata Professional Firefighters in his press release for Measure R. Unfortunately, due to station closures and the rise in overlapping calls for service we may be delayed getting to your emergency. With our District covering 62 square miles, this means potentially waiting significantly longer to receive our services when you are in need. Please, when you need our service, call 911 EARLY.
The Arcata Professional Firefighters Association would like to reemphasize to you, OUR COMMUNITY, that YOU and YOUR safety is still OUR highest priority. Please follow us on social media for up to date information on station closures.
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