New Watsonville Fire substation will reduce response time to city’s East side

It takes about 6-7 minutes for the Watsonville Fire Department to respond to the East part of the city. Pretty soon, however, it will only take about 1-2 minutes.

On Tuesday night, Watsonville City Council approved a year-long pilot program to open a substation at 425 E. Lake Avenue. That address is actually a home that was up for rent.

The Watsonville Fire Department has been leading the fight for this substation, but police will eventually find a home there as well.

Watsonville Fire Chief Pablo Baretto said there will be a “quick response vehicle” at the substation. And that’s the main point behind this $30,000 project made possible by Measure G — respond faster to the East side.

The new substation is not staffed or “furnished” just yet. But Chief Baretto and his team are excited to get started. They’re also looking forward to hiring more firefighters with an academy coming up in December.