Santa Clarita Can Afford Own Fire Dept., Report Says

A report commissioned by the Santa Clarita City Council concludes that the city can afford its own fire department, but city officials would not speculate on when it might become a reality.

It would cost Santa Clarita--now served by the Los Angeles County Fire Department--$8 million to start its own department, according to the report prepared by San Mateo-based Hughes, Heiss & Associates.

That amount would pay for facilities and equipment, including trucks, the report said. However, the report added that the start-up amount could be reduced if the city bought equipment already in use at existing county stations in Santa Clarita.

A city department’s annual operating budget would be $6.2 million to $7.9 million, the study estimated. That amount would pay for a 170-member force, it said.

In 1988, Santa Clarita residents, through property taxes, paid almost $10 million for fire protection, the study said.

Covering Costs

As the assessed valuation of property in the city increases, revenue for fire services will be enough to cover the costs of starting a fire department and its annual operating budget, the report said.

City officials are satisfied with the quality of service provided by the county, City Manager George Caravalho said.

The study has determined that “establishing our own fire department is feasible and may be much more cost-effective,” he said. But the city will study the situation further before deciding whether to break with the county, he said.

The county Fire Department serves 47 incorporated cities as well as all unincorporated county territory. Santa Clarita has four county fire stations within its limits; there are three stations in neighboring communities.

The study calls for five fire stations within the Santa Clarita city limits and two stations in adjacent neighborhoods.