By David Wilson
Pasadena Star-News
PASADENA, Calif. — The Pasadena Fire Department Monday, Sept. 29, presented to the City Council a $227 million long-term development plan that would include rebuilding a fire station and building a new one and relocating fire department headquarters over the next 10 years and beyond.
Chief Chad Augustin first previewed the plan to City Council back in June during department budget presentations, but Monday’s presentation included more details about the plan, timelines and projected costs. Augustin separated his proposed changes into short, medium and long-term categories.
- 2026-27: Add a second battalion chief
- 2028-2030: Add a ninth fire engine, a seventh rescue ambulance and tear down and rebuild Station 33
- 2031-2035: Add a third ladder truck and an eighth rescue ambulance, tear down and rebuild Station 37 and construct a ninth fire station
“The goal is to ensure we are a more prepared Pasadena for many years to come. In order to get to a good starting point we have attempted to cost the first 10 years of this plan,” Augustin said. “That does not mean that the funding and this long-term plan should end at the 10-year mark. Rather, we should constantly be looking for new and innovative ways to ensure that Pasadena is as prepared as possible for the next disaster.”
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In addition, the plan calls for supporting weed abatement and brush clearance programs as well as development of a new training center and exploration of relocating Fire Administration headquarters to the Rose Bowl.
Rebuilding Station 33 is estimated to cost $30.5 million, Station 37 an estimated $34 million and the new fire station projected to be $37.8 million.
According to the fire department, it is considering the north side of the city, the southern part of the city or near the Rose Bowl as potential locations for the new fire station due to incident call volume and areas where future growth is expected.
“Preparedness cannot have an end date,” Augustin said. “I recommend that this plan be supported with ongoing funding, paired with regular updates to measure progress and incorporate emerging technology.”
Augustin said increased staffing will be needed as call volumes have increased by 33% since 2012 but that the increase cannot happen without expansions to aging fire stations. He said looking back at recent history suggests that another weather event similar to January or before that the 2011 wind event is likely to occur sometime in the next 10 years.
“I wouldn’t be honest with you if I didn’t say the risks weren’t there and ever increasing,” Augustin said.
Councilmember Steve Madison suggested looking at funds collected from Measures I and J as potential options to help pay for aspects of the long-term plan.
The plan will now be reviewed by City Council committees before coming back to the full council for action.
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