By Hannah Elsmore
The San Diego Union-Tribune
SANTEE, Calif. — Santee is moving forward with plans for a fourth fire station in the northeast portion of the city as part of an ongoing effort to expand emergency services and curb response times.
A year ago, residents rejected Measure S, a tax increase that would have funded a permanent station at the interim station’s southwestern location.
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In lieu of funds for a permanent station, the city opened Interim Fire Station 20 in November, positioned in the southwestern part of Santee. The new facility has already shortened response times, Fire Chief Harvey Wallace said.
Still, this left a coverage gap in part of the northeast portion of the city, he said.
“This is my district, and it’s the most underserved district in all of Santee,” Councilmember Rob McNelis said. “I think it’s an absolute necessity to get some sort of help up here so that we can drive those response times down.”
Increased development and population in the East County city has motivated city leaders to find temporary solutions to what Wallace described as “prolonged” response times in northeast Santee.
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A feasibility study found two city-owned locations would be viable spots for Santee’s next interim station: a former ballfield site at Woodglen Vista Park or City Hall.
The sites are only about two miles apart, but City Hall is situated further west and nearer to Magnolia Avenue, a main road in Santee.
Adequate response times citywide would be about six minutes, Wallace said. However, the city aims to decrease response times to about four minutes in the northeastern area surrounding the next interim station.
In a report to city leaders, staff recommended the city construct the station at Woodglen Vista Park “to improve response times to northeastern Santee as expeditiously as possible and minimize disruption to activities at City Hall .”
Construction of an interim station at Woodglen Vista would not require any demolition, Wallace said, which could speed up the construction process.
City leaders agreed that Woodglen Vista would be the best spot for an interim station, but said the permanent station should go at City Hall.
“City Hall is a better location for a permanent station based on just functionality and the potential of future growth in the city of Santee,” McNelis said. “Especially with homes going north of the heights right now and the possibility of Fanita Ranch going in.”
The projected cost to design and construct an interim fire station at Woodglen Vista Park is $4.7 million, including a 15% contingency fund, according to a staff report. The city also plans to purchase an additional Type 1 engine, which could cost up to $1.6 million.
Council members agreed on a staffing model that will add three new positions in the fire department, one new firefighter/paramedic per shift.
Staff will request the funds for design and environmental review for the interim station during an upcoming budget meeting in February, Wallace said.
Construction of an interim facility is expected to begin in January 2027, with the station becoming operational by December 2027.
“We need to give you the tools that you need in order to do your job, and this is one of them,” McNelis said.
The estimated cost to construct a permanent fire station at City Hall is $34 million, according to a staff report.
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