With fire season approaching, budget cuts in Merced County may leave the City of Livingston and County fire stations to close permanently.
Merced County officials were informed of staffing requirements by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in February 2023 and presented with several options.
During a phone interview, Livingston Mayor Jose Moran warns that the proposed closure of Fire Station 96 in Livingston would possibly increase insurance costs and delay emergency response times for over 14,000 residents.The closure would prompt fire personnel from Cressey and Balico to respond to the area.
Moran sugested that residents of Livingston could voice their concerns at the next Livingston City Council Meeting on April 16th at 6:00 p.m. A town hall meeting with Merced County District 1 Supervisor will be held on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. both meetings will be held at the Council Chambers in Livingston.
The Merced County Board of Supervisors will make a final decision on May 7th, 2024.
OPTION 1
>Consolidate Station 64 (Cressey) and Station 92 (Balico)
>Eliminate Station 85 (McKee)
OPTION 2
>Consolidate Station 64 (Cressey) to Station 92 (Balico)
>Station 76 (Dos Palos) to Station 75 (Dos Palos Wye)
>Eliminate Station 85 (McKee) and Station 96 (Livingston)
OPTION 3
No fire stations will close unless 27 new personnel are hired, which will come at a County cost of 6.9 million.
