Effective July 1st, the Carmel Valley and Monterey County Regional fire districts will take the final step in the consolidation process by combining their emergency staffing. During the two and a half years under an administrative services contract, the two districts’ boards, firefighters, and administrations have been making final plans for the transition. This merger was approved by Monterey County Local Agencies Formation Commission in December after both district boards and staff determined that the move to join forces was feasible. On July 1, the firefighting personnel will take the next several months to work a rotational schedule, spending time at each of the fire stations before settling in at a regularly scheduled station.
Fire Chief Michael Urquides has stated that one of the significant savings to the combined district is a reduction in the cost of retirement contributions to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). “Taxpayers in Carmel Valley will realize an immediate savings of 12 percent in retirement pension costs once the Carmel Valley fire personnel have been brought into our retirement plan,” Urquides said. “This will help pay off the Carmel Valley Fire District’s $1 million debt obligation.”
Fire engines of both agencies, bearing the Regional emblems, have already begun rotating among the six fire stations so firefighters can become familiar with the engines and equipment. In addition to the career firefighter roster, the combined agency under Monterey County Regional Fire District will have a total of 35 volunteer firefighters. The volunteer roster will consist of established members of the Carmel Valley Volunteers and Monterey County Regional Volunteer Firefighter organizations as well as new volunteers currently undergoing a comprehensive training program.
Residents of the Carmel Valley district will continue to receive the same ambulance services in the Carmel Valley Village and Mid Valley areas, with enhanced staffing by a third ambulance stationed at the Laureles Station at the corner of Laureles Grade and Highway 68. This ambulance would be staffed with personnel at the Laureles fire station and would be set to respond only to Carmel Valley in the event the two ambulances in the valley are committed to other calls.
Available to serve the entire 350 square mile consolidated district are 15 engines, 4 water tenders, and 7 utility vehicles.
The combined board of directors is scheduled to meet on the last Tuesday of each month. Meeting times and locations will be listed on Monterey County Regional Fire District’s website: www.mcrfd.org.
Administrative & Fire Prevention Divisions 19900 Portola Dr., Salinas, California 93908 - (831) 455-1828 Station 1 – Toro Station 19900 Portola Dr., Salinas – (831) 455-1721 Station 2 – Chualar Station 24281 Washington St., Chualar – (831) 679-2323 Station 3 – Laureles Station 31 Laureles Grade Rd., Salinas – (831) 484-1197 Station 4 – Carmel Valley Village 26 Via Contenta, Carmel Valley – (831) 659-2021 Station 5 – Mid Valley 8455 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel – (831) 624-5907 Station 6 – Santa Lucia Preserve 73 Rancho San Carlos Rd., Carmel – (831) 624-7334
