Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced its annexation of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD).
The annexation’s goal is to improve fire and emergency medical services delivery across the County, particularly in underserved east county communities, while taking advantage of efficiencies and economies of scale to do more as a result of the new organization.
annexation process
The move comes through an annexation process, years in the making, which sees the consolidation of the urban and rural service areas and resources of ECCFPD into the Con Fire family that was effective at midnight on June 30, 2022.
Among the many improvements to fire and emergency medical services will be reduced response times, implementation of fire engine-based paramedic services, and new fire stations and crews across the District, especially in east county.
improvements in services
As of today, Con Fire has begun delivering enhanced services across our newly expanded jurisdiction"
“Today marks our arrival at the finish line of a pursuit for improved fire and emergency services that has been years in the making. I am appreciative of all the work from the many elected and fire leaders that has gone into making this day a reality,” said Lewis Broschard, fire chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.
“As of today, Con Fire, consisting of the people, facilities, and resources of East Contra Costa Fire and all of our own resources, has begun delivering on the long-awaited promise of enhanced services across our newly expanded jurisdiction.”
fire and emergency services
“Today is a landmark day in the evolution of fire and emergency medical services delivery in the communities formerly served by East Contra Costa Fire and across our County,” said Brian Helmick, fire chief, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.
“I am proud of the efforts of our firefighters and staff in helping us achieve the goal of annexation and grateful for the support of our elected officials and fire partners in helping to make it possible.”
Safer communities
“I am thankful for the many stakeholders who have worked diligently to make this long-sought annexation possible, and I look forward to its many benefits for our communities,” said Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, Chairperson, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, District 4.
“Today is an important day in the lives of residents in East Contra Costa. It is the culmination of years of work and commitment by many to expand fire and emergency medical services to residents who have often had to wait too long," said Supervisor Diane Burgis, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, District 3. "As an East Contra Costa resident, I am grateful that our community is now safer.”
new Fire District
The population served by the new consolidated organization grows from 625,000 to 753,000 residents
The new Fire District includes the entirety of the former ECCFPD service area, expanding geographically from 304 to 553 square miles, a 45% increase. The population served by the new consolidated organization grows from 625,000 to 753,000 residents. Con Fire provides fire and emergency medical services to residents of 11 cities, as opposed to the former nine, as well as 11 unincorporated areas of the County.
Benefits of the newly merged Con Fire have immediately improved fire and emergency medical services, including additional crews and newly opened stations, which will serve to reduce response times. For the first time, residents of east county communities are now served by fire crews delivering Advanced Life Support capabilities.
new replacement
A first new fire station (Fire Station 95), staffed by Con Fire, opened in Oakley, a month ahead of annexation, on June 1. Further immediate plans call for the opening of recession-shuttered Fire Station 4 in Walnut Creek and the new replacement Fire Station 86 in Bay Point, both in the 30 days following annexation.
Planning for the construction of two additional fire stations in the city of Brentwood is currently underway with the completion date estimated sometime in 2024.
Transition
A transfer of command ceremony marking the transition of leadership from ECCFPD to Con Fire, as well as a gavel passing ceremony, symbolizes the change in oversight from the East Contra Costa Fire Board of Directors to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in their capacity as Con Fire’s board of directors, took place at 10 a.m., July 1, 2022, in Brentwood City Park.
The event was attended by fire leaders, elected officials, and residents and featured static displays of some of Con Fire’s specialized equipment and crews.