Palomar Mountain News

From: Suzann M. Leininger [mailto:suzbill95@gmail.com]

The Palomar Mountain Fire Board of Directors has been working closely, over the past few months, with the County FD, CALFIRE, Board of Supervisors, State Senate and State Assembly on coming up with solutions to get 24/7 coverage at our station.  Since we are a ‘sky island’ and have over 250,000+ visitors to the mountain every year and with an aging population, we, the board, are also very concerned.  The county has recognized the struggle with staffing.

We are happy to report, that by July 1st, 2016, we will have 24/7 staffing, guaranteed for the next year.  The coverage will be on a County fire engine with career CALFIRE staff, supplemented by County Reserves.   The crews that cover the mountain will be more consistent and able to get to know the area and community members.   During this year, the county will be working on building their Reserve Firefighter pool to be able to cover stations more dependably than they currently are.  The board will be getting updates to their progress.

An Administrative Captain will start at the Station on Monday, 7/13 and the CALFIRE crew will start on Monday, 7/20 with any available Reserves.

CALFIRE Chief Tony Mecham will be comimg up to our community to explain more about this arrangement and answer any questions you may have.  We will announce a date in the near future.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank District 5 County Supervisor Bill Horn.  Your support in making the safety of the Palomar Mountain community a priority is appreciated.