Safety: A Community Responsibility
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: July 21, 2023
Scotts Valley Fire Board Approves Fire Station Relocation Ballot Measure
Scotts Valley, CA. – At the July 12 Board Meeting, the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors unanimously approved Resolution 2023-7 that will place a fire station replacement ballot measure on the November general election. The fire station at Erba Lane does not meet essential services building and safety standards, putting the community of Scotts Valley at risk in the event of a disaster. The ballot measure proposes building a new fire station on La Madrona Drive across from the Hilton Hotel and closing the Erba Lane fire station once completed.
The Erba Lane Fire Station was built in 1964, nearly 60 years ago with administrative offices being added over 40 years ago. This was the first fire station built in Scotts Valley operating with an all-volunteer staff of community firefighters. The Scotts Valley Fire Protection District has grown with our community over the decades in both service area and call volume. Because of limited funding, the Fire District’s budgetary efforts have focused on providing for the immediate emergency service needs of the community. This has left the station updates falling farther behind.
Even more concerning, the Erba Lane Fire Station’s structural integrity does not meet seismic standards or modern building codes. This leaves the station and staff at risk of being unavailable for emergency services in the event of a major earthquake. In 2018 the Fire District conducted a facilities study, followed by a seismic study in 2022. Both studies concluded the dependability of the structure had reached the end of its useful life with potential impacts of a natural disaster being dire on the station and the community.
Scotts Valley is a growing city, far exceeding the growth expected in 1964 when the Erba Lane station was built. Relocating the fire station to a more southern part of the Fire District places the Firefighters in a more strategic location that will better serve the entire community. In 2002, the Fire District purchased the lot at 6000 La Madrona Drive for a future fire station location. This location decreases the overlap in fire station response areas and places the station closer to the majority of the incidents in the Community. Additionally, the new fire station will have the ability to assist in disaster response by housing a crisis headquarters as seen during the CZU Lightning Complex of 2020, and atmospheric river events of 2022.
Safety is a Community Responsibility and is why the Fire District is bringing the ballot measure to the voters. The proposed $22.2 million bond would allow for the construction of a replacement fire station that will meet the needs of the community today and in the future.
More information about the ballot measure and proposed facilities can be found at https://www.scottsvalleyfire.com/ballot-measure/
The Scotts Valley Fire District serves 20 square miles including the City of Scotts Valley, Pasatiempo area and other unincorporated areas immediately around the City.
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The Scotts Valley Fire Protection District was formed in 1958 as a volunteer fire department for unincorporated communities in the mountains north of Santa Cruz. Scotts Valley Fire is a special district independent of the City. As an “All Risk” agency, Scotts Valley Fire provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials mitigation, public education, fire investigation and fire prevention services.
The District’s first fire station was built in 1964 on Erba Lane in Scotts Valley. Station 1 was expanded in the 1980’s by adding apparatus bays, training space and a small administrative office.
In 1969 a second station opened on Sims Road to serve the southern areas of the District. The Station was later closed and sold upon completion of the optimally located Glenwood Station in 2001.
Erba Lane Fire Station’s structural integrity does not meet seismic standards or modern building codes. This leaves the station and staff at risk of being unavailable for emergency services in the event of a major earthquake.
This $22.2 million bond is to build a new seismically safe station to improve service to the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District (District) in the present and as our community continues to grow. This total cost is reflected as $27.50 per $100,000 of assessed value per parcel over a time span not to exceed 30 years. In efforts to be as fiscally forward thinking as possible, the District has been taking steps over the past 20 years towards this station. This includes acquiring land for the new station to be built upon, facility studies to properly access the current station, and a seismic study to explore all options. These preliminary steps have concluded that the most cost-effective option for the community of Scotts Valley is a relocated station.
According to a Facilities Study conducted in 2018 by Group 4 Architecture Research & Planning, the Station on Erba Lane, “In a major seismic event, the building is a hazard to District personnel and is unlikely to be able to serve the community.” (1) This report promoted further research for options to seismically upgrade the current station. In 2022 MME, a Civil and Structural Engineering Group, performed a full seismic evaluation of the station, including a geotechnical report, concluding, “Based on our evaluation, a review of the existing design, and subsequent evaluation reports, the current building is vulnerable to seismic damage. The original design from 1963 was before vast improvements in the science of earthquake engineering were incorporated into the building codes. The 1983 and 1984 drawings failed to bring the building into conformance with the improved seismic codes at that time. The building relies on masonry and wood shear walls for lateral load resistance and to support the gravity loads. These elements do not have sufficient strength to resist seismic lateral displacements without sustaining significant damage. Damage to these critical structural gravity load-resisting elements could result in a collapse of the roof structure. The life safety and economic risk could be substantial.” (2) These findings confirmed concerns about the structural integrity of the station. The risk of structural collapse has implications for loss of equipment, response to the community, and staff lives.
In 2002 the District purchased a 1.49 acre lot at 6000 La Madrona Drive in preparation to build a fire station at this optimal location. This location was determined to be ideal for a fire station by standards of coverage reports that analyzed call volume and location of calls relative to the response location. Throughout the years there have been small scale updates in attempts to modernize the existing station without financially over impacting the District as apparatus and equipment upgrades were necessary to continue highest level of service to the community. As the station continued to fall further behind standards, the District’s budgetary efforts were focused on serving the immediate emergency service needs of the community. Despite these efforts the facility study stated, “While [the station] has been modified and ‘modernized’ over the course of its service, the configuration of spaces and infrastructure still does not meet the current standards.” (1) These findings were echoed in the Seismic Evaluation Report, “The structural deficiencies noted in this report indicate that the building is likely to sustain damage and not be functionally operable if a significant seismic event were to occur. If damaged, the timely delivery of services to the community that is provided by this building would be impacted.” (2) The seismic evaluation provided quotes on retrofitting the station at the time of the study. This investment would be nearly $5 million for seismic retrofitting alone, with no modifications to the current building to bring it up to code or addressing spatial constraints.
After much consideration, it was clear that any efforts made to upgrade the current station would be a costly temporary fix. Due to the spatial constraints of the current lot, as well as the less than favorable location, there is limited longevity for this model. The facility study plainly stated, “In terms of condition and functionality, the District’s 9,300-square-foot facility at 7 Erba Lane, constructed in 1963 has reached the end of its useful life.” (1) A community investment of this magnitude should not only fit the needs of the community in the present but also support the future growth of Scotts Valley.
(1) Group 4 Architecture Research & Planning. (2019). Scotts Valley Fire Protection District Facilities Master Plan.
(2) RRM Civil + Structural Engineering. (2022). Seismic Evaluation- Tier 1&2 Scotts Valley Fire Station 1.
The Scotts Valley Fire Protection District (District) would relocate station would be structurally sound in the event of a disaster, provide improved response times, and accommodate community growth. These are all primary concerns for the essential services provided to the community.
The current station on Erba Lane is in danger of structural failure in the event of a natural disaster according to a Facility Study conducted in 2018 and a seismic study conducted in 2022. The risk of structural collapse would leave the community without fire and EMS service, detrimentally damaging apparatus and place staff lives at risk. It is the mission of Scotts Valley Fire to protect the lives, the environment and property of this District. Without a fire station that meets essential standards, the community is at risk.
A new station would allow space to house a disaster crisis headquarters, a deficiency of the current station. In large scale disasters, a disaster crisis headquarters is critical for incident assessment and resource deployment. This was evident during the CZU Lightning Complex in 2020 that destroyed over 1,490 structures, and burned 86,509 acres. More recently this headquarters would have been a valuable resource during the atmospheric river events of winter 2022 to provide logistical and emergency services to the community amidst adverse conditions.
California State housing requirements have ruled that the City of Scotts Valley must build 1,220 homes by December 15, 2031. This will be a 14% increase in homes in our serviceable areas. This increase in homes and population will impact the service needs of the community. Our District has maintained an Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating of 2, which is the second highest rating a fire district can earn. This rating determines how well the fire department can protect your community and home which is used by insurance companies to set rates. To help maintain these standards, optimal located stations would decrease the overlap in fire station response areas as well as place the station closer to the majority of incidents in the community. This translates to faster response times not only improving presently but also increasing the probability to maintain these high service standards as the community continues to grow.
The community benefit remains in the services provided by the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District these services being heavily impacted by station integrity and location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Fire District need a new fire station?
The current building is unsafe and in the event of a disaster could fail placing staff lives as risk. This would mean staff could not respond to emergencies. A facility study was completed in 2018 and a seismic study in 2022, which found the facility to be at the end of its useful lifespan and the building unsafe in the event of an earthquake.
What is the Fire Safety Bond Measure?
The fire safety bond measure is asking voters to consider the bonding of $22,240,000 to design and replace the outdated fire station. If approved, the proceeds from the measure will be used to relocate Fire District’s Headquarters (Station 1) located on Erba Lane to La Madrona Drive – across from the Hilton.
What is Bonding?
Bonding, or “governmental obligation bonds,” is a way for a municipality to borrow money for capital projects. Bonds are sold and the proceeds are used to pay for the architecture, design, site work and the building of the new fire station.
How much will it cost a homeowner in the District?
The bond measure is for $27.50 per $100,000 assessed property value.
Where will this new station be built?
The new fire station will be built on the vacant land at 6000 La Madrona Drive – across La Madrona from the Hilton Hotel, and south of the shopping plaza.
Does the District own the land?
Yes, the District owns the land where the new station will be built. It was purchased in 2002 for this purpose.
What has the District done to plan for this new station?
In 2002, the Fire District purchased the Land on La Madrona. In 2006, the District ran a ballot measure twice to build a new station but it did not pass. In 2018, the Fire District performed a facility study, and in 2022 a seismic study. Both of these studies determined that the Erba Lane site was not seismically safe. With the Fire Station not being in the best location and investing funds into a fire station at the end of its useful life, the Fire District began developing plans to relocate the Erba Lane Station to the more southern location on La Madrona Drive.
What will happen to the Erba Lane Facility?
The Erba Lane fire station will be closed. Although the Board of Directors has not yet made a decision on what will happen with the property, it will likely be sold with the proceeds being used to offset the cost of the new facility.
Could the existing facility be repaired or remodeled?
The current facility could be repaired or remodeled, however this is not a good use of tax payer dollars due to the cost to repair. In addition, the Erba Lane site is not the best location to respond to many emergencies in the community. Even if remodeled, the Erba Lane site would not accommodate training or a command center for mass disaster.
Lastly, Erba Lane is not located in the most strategic location. When Station 2 (Glenwood) was added, the plan was to relocate the Erba Lane to a more southern location. This measure will allow this planning to be completed.
What will happen if a new station is not built?
The firefighters and other District staff would continue working in an unsafe building that could fail in a disaster. Additionally, staff would respond from a less strategic location, and not serve the community at their full capacity.
Will the Fire District now have three fire stations?
No, the Fire District will only have two stations. The equipment and personnel from Erba Lane will be relocated to the new fire station.
Will this measure improve fire service?
Yes. Fire services will be improved because the La Madrona site is more strategically located. This location does two things: it reduces the overlap between the Glenwood and Erba Lane stations; it also places the Station closer to the busiest areas of the District. Additionally, the new facility will have the ability to staff a crisis center that can be used in disasters like the CZU Fire and the atmospheric rivers seen this past winter.
What services do I get for my current tax dollars?
The Scotts Valley Fire District provides emergency and non-emergency response to all types of incidents. From a basic fall in the home, to a large wildfire conflagration, your firefighters will respond. Additionally, the Scotts Valley Fire District staffs all of its primary response apparatus with paramedics. Paramedics are the highest level trained out of hospital responders to medical emergencies. Lastly, the Scotts Valley Fire District also staffs hazardous materials technicians who respond to large chemical spills and other hazardous substances.
Why can’t the District pay for the station out of its current budget?
The budgetary focus for the fire district is to provide emergency response / service to the community. This includes wages, fire and EMS equipment and purchasing fire apparatus. Many initiatives have constrained the District’s ability to keep up with rising costs. There is just not enough money in the current funding model to build the fire station.
Why doesn’t the City of Scotts Valley build the Station?
The Scotts Valley Fire District is a Special District providing services to the residents within the City of Scotts Valley and outside the City limits. The Fire District collects property tax money from these residents to provide these essential services and is not part of the City of Scotts Valley.
Proposed Replacement Station Location:
“To Protect Lives, the Environment, and Property.”