Two workshops will be held this week to introduce the proposed new fire protection district for Eastern Plumas County. The existing districts have faced multiple challenges, including aging infrastructure and equipment, lack of staffing, increased demand, and a lack of funding due to irregular boundaries. The fractured borders resulted in current fire protection districts responding to calls outside their jurisdiction.
Three years ago, a Local Emergency Services Study Group (LESSG) was formed between representatives from Sierra Valley Fire, Beckwourth Fire, the City of Portola, and Gold Mountain CSD to find a way to strengthen and improve fire protection, rescue, and emergency medical services (EMS) in Eastern Plumas County. The study found that forming one new fire protection district (FPD) with coordinated divisions representing each existing station to serve the Eastern Plumas communities would benefit the community.
You can learn more about the merging of the new districts on Friday, Jan. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall in Vinton and Saturday, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. at the Memorial Hall in Portola.
The new Beckwourth Peak Fire Protection District would be funded through a New Special Tax, Current Property Taxes, and donations and grants.
