Pacific Grove Fire Dept. Merges with Monterey

A merger of the Pacific Grove Fire Department with Monterey’s was approved 6-1 late Wednesday by the Pacific Grove City Council.The merger now goes before the Monterey City Council on Tuesday for what appears to be certain approval.

Under the agreement, Monterey will provide fire and emergency medical services to Pacific Grove starting Dec. 16.

The merger is the culmination of joint discussions and planning since early 2005 and supported by a fire services consolidation feasibility analysis conducted in 2007 by Citygate Associates LLC.

The merger won unanimous support from firefighters from both departments, as well as neighboring cities, which may join in one regional fire department.

Under terms of the agreement, existing Pacific Grove firefighters will become city of Monterey employees, and Monterey will provide fire and emergency medical services to Pacific Grove by contract.

The proposed agreement will maintain existing services in Pacific Grove, said Fire Chief Andy Miller, and will add enhanced operational flexibility, depth of resources and administrative support for both cities.

It will enable both cities to deliver fire services and related emergency services more effectively and economically as a single organization rather than as separate departments.

The combined department will staff five engines daily at four stations, including the existing Pacific Grove station on Pine Avenue, and will offer specialized services such as marine fire and rescue, urban search and rescue, and hazardous-material response.A total of 67 employees will operate under a unified command and administrative organizational structure based in Monterey. Pacific Grove has 15 firefighters.

Story by Monterey County Herald