County bolsters local firefighting efforts
SAN JOSE – In a move to improve firefighting efforts and bolster mutual aid resources in the region, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors today approved a contract enabling the Los Altos Hills County Fire District (LAHCFD) to fund the acquisition of a water tender (a firefighting apparatus that specializes in the transport of water from a water source to a fire scene) to serve local residents.
This firefighting apparatus strengthens the Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District’s vehicle fleet and can be used in any County area. “The increase in wildfires means we’ve got to stay vigilant and prepared. The water tender gives us more of what we need to keep folks safe,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian, whose district includes communities in the higher-risk wildland-urban interface, such as Los Altos Hills and the surrounding unincorporated areas.
“The water tender improves the LAHCFD/Central Fire Protection District's ability to respond to fire emergencies with greater firefighting capacity, and is also a boost to other local fire departments under mutual aid in an emergency,” added Simitian.
The water tender is expected to provide 2,000 gallons of portable water in the LAHCFD territory where the County’s Central Fire Protection District provides emergency medical response and fire suppression under contract. The Central Fire Protection District’s current water tender is located 15 miles away in Monte Sereno.
“LAHCFD's rural and open space setting means we have to be prepared for wildfires in places where hydrants may not be available. A water tender is thus vital to supply water when battling fires in these areas,” said Roger Spreen, President of the LAHCFD Board of Commissioners. “We’re delighted for LAHCFD to be able to make this important equipment available to all the agencies in this region, as it benefits everyone in the County, including our own residents, for firefighters to be able to attack wildfires as promptly and as effectively as possible, with significant amounts of water wherever needed.”
The agreement, between the County’s Central Fire Protection District and LAHCFD, with the Board of Supervisors acting as the Board of Commissioners for the Central Fire Protection District, stipulates that starting this month, the Central Fire Protection District will assume responsibility for acquiring, owning, operating, maintaining, and insuring the water tender. LAHCFD will reimburse the Central Fire Protection District for the cost of the apparatus, estimated at $476,000.
This approach is consistent with the existing relationship between LAHCFD and the Central Fire Protection District, which originated in December 1996. Since then, LAHCFD, along with the City of Los Altos, has contracted with the Central Fire Protection District to provide emergency medical response and fire suppression to the residents of Los Altos Hills and unincorporated areas, and the City of Los Altos.
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