I wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts, clear up some points, and provide some insight into the future.
First, it has been stated, by elected officials and members of the public, that the item regarding the closing of the fire station was not properly advertised or properly noted on the agenda. This is not correct. In the memo, provided to the Board of Supervisors and the public, which states: “If the Board of Supervisors directs staff to maintain the current levels, staff will begin addressing the projected $1.8 million shortfall for recommended budget. If the Board of Supervisors provides direction to reduce any fire services pertaining to the CAL FIRE Contract the County needs approximately 6 months to go through the process.”
This is important to note because the item on the agenda, for discussion was to either keep the CalFire contract as is, or to take steps to reduce any fire services. If the Board of Supervisors were to keep existing fire service, the Board of Supervisors would have to address the $1.8 million shortfall. If the Board of Supervisors were to reduce fire services, the Board of Supervisors would have to make that decision on January 6th 2026.
The January 6th date is important because we had a contractual deadline. CalFire notified the Board Chair in October of 2025 of the deadline, and again in December of the January deadline. The staff recommendation, as presented to the Board and the public was: “Staff recommends the Board provide direction for County Fire Services and budget beginning in Fiscal Year 26/27.”
Unfortunately, the Board of Supervisors had to decide on January 6th to either keep the current contract or to reduce fire service. The decision to reduce the fire service was the outcome. It is also important to note that the Mono Vista Fire Station is a County of Tuolumne Fire Station and not a CalFire Fire Station. The County owns the station and the staff are CalFire employees.
It was stated recently that the fire fighters would be “laid off”, and this is not true. The fire personnel would be reassigned to different stations through out the State. These are important points because, had this come before the Board in October or November, perhaps the Board of Supervisors could have address this issue earlier and not have to make this decision with CalFire when we did. It is very important to note that the Board of Supervisors voted to notify CalFire to reduce, or close, the Mono Vista Station once the funding was exhausted. Additionally, CalFire representatives recommended that if the County were to take the step to reduce fire services, the Mono Vista Station would be the one they would recommend. This is due to the fact that the station is not staffed 24 hours a day, and its location near other fire stations operated by the County and CalFire. The station is not closing immediately, but projected to close by July.
With that being said, since January 6th, there has been a great deal of public comment, both in support of, and against, the closing of the station. I fully understand the concerns of the public as well as the complexity of balancing the budget and providing fire services to the people of the county. I have had several conversations with CalFire leadership to find a way to address concerns of both the County budget as well as the needs of fire services. CalFire has an obligation to their employees to operate within their union rules and I fully support that.
The future: in March or April, CalFire will bring back to the Board the official contract to be changed. At that time, should the Board stay with current plan of closing the Mono Vista Station, CalFire will move forward with relocation of the employees. Should we not, then the County will have to address the $1.8 Million shortfall. Should the County receive the SAFER Grant between the signing of the contract to close the Mono Vista station, we will have to work with CalFire to restaff Mono Vista.
CalFire representatives have been very open and honest about working with the County, whichever way the decision goes, so that fire services will be as minimally impacted as possible. CalFire representatives understand that this is a delicate issues and is very open and eager to work with the County to address the peoples concerns. I am very glad to be working with our professional counterparts in the CalFire organization.
Lastly, there has been some discussion about how closing the Mono Vista Station will affect insurance rates. Insurance rates are determined by an ISO rating. There are a great deal of items that factor into an ISO rating. Please contact your insurance company, the California Insurance Commissioner or his Office for further information.
I fully understand that this is a concerning matter to all of us, and we will work together to find a solution. We might have to close Mono Vista today, so that we have better service in the future. Personally, I have spoken to County staff to look for ways to get five stations with 3-0 staffing within the next few years. This might be a special sales tax measure, or a citizens initiative, to fund our fire service into the future. I would strongly encourage open, and respectful dialogue with your fellow citizens, County Staff, and your Board of Supervisors.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact your Board of Supervisors and if you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me, or your elected Supervisor.
Steve Griefer
District 4 County of Tuolumne Supervisor
