A study is expected to explore an expansion of shared services among, Santa Cruz Fire, Central Fire and Scotts Valley Fire. (Stephen Baxter — Santa Cruz Local file)

The Santa Cruz City Council is expected to formally approve the study’s commission at the council’s meeting Tuesday.

The City of Santa Cruz now runs its own fire department, while Scotts Valley Fire and Central Fire are independent special districts. The study would include potential plans for the departments to share services or consolidate entirely.

“This study allows us to explore ways to enhance fire protection services across our region,” Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker wrote in an April 17 statement. “By working together, we can identify solutions that improve response times, maximize resources, and ensure long-term sustainability for our fire departments.” 

Members of the Santa Cruz Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO, have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct the study. A consultant will analyse the three agencies’ fire services and “analyze possible consolidation strategies,” Santa Cruz city spokesperson Erika Smart wrote in a statement. 

Exploration of consolidation

The three agencies are expected to select the consultant to write the report in the coming weeks and start the study this year. “Community input will be encouraged at key milestones,” Smart wrote. 

The study is also expected to evaluate opportunities to pool staff, vehicles and equipment “while maintaining separate administrative structures,” Smart wrote.

A separate 2024 LAFCO study considered the possibility of converting CSA 48, an area the county now provides fire protection, to an independent fire district that could absorb other struggling fire agencies. 

Central Fire, Santa Cruz Fire and Scotts Valley Fire already help each other in emergency response through mutual aid, sending firefighters and engines to assist if a department needs help. The study is expected to look for ways to increase coordination to strengthen fire response and public safety.

The study also is expected to include: 

• A review of each fire service’s responsibilities, staff, facilities, equipment, policies and financial standing. 
• An exploration of merging fire districts or changing fire district boundaries to improve response times. 
• Weighing the costs and benefits of consolidation approaches and providing recommendations.

Failed ballot measures, desired upgrades

The Scotts Valley Fire Protection District covers roughly 30 square miles in and around the city of Scotts Valley, including areas that were served by Branciforte Fire Protection District before the districts merged in 2023.

In 2023 and 2024, voters rejected ballot measures that would have allowed Scotts Valley Fire to build a new fire station on land owned by the City of Scotts Valley on La Madrona Drive near the Hilton Hotel. It would have replaced a decades-old facility on Erba Lane that is not earthquake safe.

A new station on La Madrona Drive would reduce response times in the southern end of the district, Scotts Valley Fire Chief Mark Correira told Santa Cruz Local in 2024. The bond money also could have been used to fund repairs or to replace Scotts Valley Fire administrative offices. 

Central Fire also asked voters to approve a bond measure in November 2024 and failed. The  $221 million bond measure would have paid for new fire facilities and equipment. It needed more than 66% of the vote and received about 57.5% support. The average annual cost for homeowners would have been about $200, according to a Central Fire report. 

Central Fire merged with Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District in 2021. The district has seven fire stations and covers much of mid-Santa Cruz County, including Capitola, Soquel, Aptos, Live Oak, La Selva Beach and Rio Del Mar.

Two of the department’s seven fire engines and all three of its wildland fire trucks were in “poor” condition, according to a 2022 long-range master plan for the district. Central Fire stations in Soquel, Capitola and La Selva Beach stations are more than 50 years old and may need to be replaced or relocated, Central Fire Chief Jason Nee said in 2024. 

Rob Oatey, the Santa Cruz Fire chief, said in 2024 that he wanted to build a new $20 million training facility for Santa Cruz Police and Fire to replace outdated training facilities inside and outside the city.  

Oatey said a training center has been in his sights since he became interim fire chief in 2022. “Since I’ve taken over, it’s sort of been one of my big goals and targets that I’ve been trying to tackle,” Oatey said in 2024. “It would be used on a daily basis,” he said. 

“Residents rely on fire services during their most critical moments, and it is our responsibility to ensure they receive the highest standard of emergency care,” Oatey wrote in an April 17 statement.

“As our communities continue to grow, fire protection services must evolve to meet their needs,” Oatey wrote. “This study is an important step in exploring how regional cooperation could strengthen fire response and enhance public safety.” 

Questions or comments? Email [email protected]. Santa Cruz Local is supported by members, major donors, sponsors and grants for the general support of our newsroom. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Learn more about Santa Cruz Local and how we are funded.