Santa Cruz Grand Jury calls for consolidated fire services

Since thecoordinated dispatch and mutual aid agreement of Santa Cruz County have created a single fire district, the Grand Jury of Santa Cruz County voiced some concerns it its most recent report.

The Grand Jury said it wants to know why the second smallest county in the state of California needs more than 13 agencies to provide fire services. They also raise questions about the role played by local boards in promoting or preventing progress towards consolidation.

The Grand Jury investigated the two major issues whichwere aboutthe opportunitiesto increase consolidation and the responsiveness to servicecallsrelated to the nine fire protection districts in the County.

After the investigation, the Grand Jury found that several districts would benefit from increased shared services or consolidation. It also found that response time for both fire and medical calls were within desired parameters for all agencies investigated.

The Santa Cruz County Grand Jury is a nineteen-member group of volunteers chosen from the voter rolls and driver registration records. Jurors serve for one year, although some may elect to serve a second year.