Report Prepared by: Casey Wilson, Fire Chief, Fire Department
Title
SUBJECT: Direction to Proceed with Site Selection and Planning for Merced Fire Station No. 56 and the Emergency Operations Center
REPORT IN BRIEF
In alignment with the ongoing development and expansion of Merced's public safety infrastructure, this report provides direction to proceed with the site selection and planning process for the new Merced Fire Station 56 and the Emergency Operations Center. This project is critical to meeting the city's growing demands for emergency services and to ensure public safety is in alignment with Merced's growth to the north.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion authorizing City Staff to proceed with site selection and planning process for Public Safety CIP, project CP090007 Fire Station 56.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Safety as provided for in the FY 25/26 budget priorities.
DISCUSSION
Background
On January 3, 2012, the City Council adopted the Merced Vision 2030 General Plan. Chapter 5 - Public Services and Facilities (amended in May 2017) of the plan states that "The location of fire facilities is a critical factor in providing adequate fire protection to the citizens of Merced. The time and distance that must be traveled to the scene of an emergency can determine whether fire suppression efforts will be successful." The plan identifies that there are five (5) city fire stations strategically located in Merced and that the department's call volume continues to increase. A sixth fire station was planned to be built in the general location of Bellevue Ranch. Furthermore, the plan states that the department has a goal of maintaining a response time of fou...
Click here for full text