UC Santa Cruz, city of Santa Cruz to start sharing fire services on July 1

StartingTuesday, July 1, UC Santa Cruz will contract with the city for its emergency fire services.

The Santa Cruz City Council authorized a fire services agreement between the city and the university last month.

What this means is that the university’s fire station, fleet and personnel will now be part of the city of Santa Cruz Fire Department’s operations. The merger is expected to enhance capacity for response within the city and university.

“This is an example of a true partnership that will benefit both the city and campus,” said Santa Cruz Fire Chief Jeff Trapp. “We are proud to provide first-rate fire service to the world-class university that calls Santa Cruz home.”

The city and UC Santa Cruz first entered into a Fire Management Service Agreement in January 2012 to share the costs of administering the two fire departments over a two-year period, providing sufficient time to evaluate further partnership opportunities.

Based on the success of the model, city and university leadership began negotiations for a permanent agreement earlier this year. Both agencies have provided mutual aid response in the past to the benefit of the community and university.

The University Fire Station will remain at its current location and be home to an engine company of three city firefighters, available for campus and citywide response.