Merced County fire stations that were scheduled to close next week will keep their lights on – for now. 

In May, the Board of Supervisors voted to close McKee Fire Station 85 in the Merced area, along with Station 96 in Livingston. 

Those closures were scheduled to take place Oct. 1, along with the merging of a handful of other stations. That would have effectively reduced the number of full time Cal Fire stations in Merced County from 19 to 15. 

The board voted Tuesday to change that effective date to Dec. 31. 

Key factors figured into the board’s decision: 

Measure R – County leaders are awaiting the outcome of Measure R, a half-cent sales tax that will be on the November ballot to support public safety. If passed, Measure R would generate an estimated $25 million annually for firefighters, law enforcement and local prosecutors.

SAFER Grant – Merced County has applied for a $10.8 million federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant that would fund additional fire personnel. County officials are awaiting the outcome of that application. 

County officials said they have also been in talks with local jurisdictions about possible cost sharing agreements, which could impact what happens with those stations. 

Although it wasn’t mentioned during Tuesday’s meeting, earlier this month Livingston City Council voted to authorize a lawsuit against Merced County, in order to keep that city’s station open, ABC 30 reported.

Many residents have expressed concerns that reducing the number of fire stations will have a dire impact on response times. 

Priya Lakireddy, who sits on the Merced City School District Board, said during public comment that keeping the fire stations open depends on “ifs and hopes.”

“What if none of those things materialized? Then you will shut these down on Dec. 31,” Lakireddy said. 

“I am really worried if something happens, what’s going to happen to my house, if (firefighters) have to come from Planada or somebody has to come from (Highway) 59. I just hear a lot of ifs and hopes, and ifs and hopes don’t save homes from fire.” 

Lakireddy also said she would appreciate more information about the discussions regarding the potential cost sharing agreements. 

Josh Pedrozo, who represents District 2, said although he can’t get into all of the details about those discussions, officials are working in earnest to find solutions.

“So it’s not like we’re dropping the ball on this. It’s something that’s really important. I know that I’ve been working hard with the CEO, Chief Pimentel, with the city to come up with a solution, at least for Station No. 85,” Pedrozo said.  

Reasons behind the closures

A budget crunch has limited Merced County’s finances this year.  If the county kept all 19 Cal Fire stations operational, officials estimate it would cost $6.9 million to hire 27 firefighters and meet the required staffing ratio across the board.

Under the plan, in addition to the closure of the McKee and Livingston stations, fire stations 92 and 64 in Ballico and Cressey respectively will be merged into a single unified station in Ballico. 

The Cressey station will be repurposed into a volunteer-only station.

On the county’s Westside, Dos Palos Station 76 and Station 75 at the Dos Palos Wye will merge into a single unified station at the Dos Palos Wye.

Merced County has until Nov. 1 to comply with a state minimum requirement of two personnel on duty per station, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Of the 58 counties in California, Merced is the only one with Cal Fire stations falling below that threshold.