Belmont Residents Invited To Community Workshop On Proposed Consolidated Fire Department

BELMONT, CA — The Belmont community is invited to participate in a workshop about the joint powers agreement (JPA) that is being considered to create the county’s newest emergency response agency by merging the Fire Departments of San Mateo, Foster City, and Belmont into the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department.

Some fire services, such as Fire Administration, Fire Prevention services, equipment, and staffing of a ladder truck are already shared between the three cities. The cost savings and service level improvements that have been realized through the current shared services agreements will be made permanent through the new consolidated fire agency. Other major improvements that will result from the consolidation include the establishment of a single set of operating principles, polices, procedures, employee relations agreements, and financial controls.

A Belmont workshop was held Monday Oct. 2, 2017 from 7pm to 8:30pm at the BelmontSenior & Community Center.

Another workshop is planned Thursday night in San Mateo.

There will be a hands-on opportunity for you to explore the shared Fire services contracts between the Cities of San Mateo, Foster City and Belmont, including the plans and benefits of the proposed JPA, which will provide Fire-related services to all three cities, including emergency response operations, fire prevention, and emergency preparedness.

Bring your ideas, participate with fellow community members, and contribute to the discussion to help shape the new department. Fire staff will be available provide you with information related to this exciting opportunity to establish a consolidated Fire department to better service Foster City, San Mateo and Belmont.

— SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION BY: City of Belmont / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone