Q: What is the status of Chester Fire Department?

A: Chester Fire Department has faced severe financial challenges, leading to the scheduled layoff of all but one full-time firefighter in March 2024. With no ability to staff a full-time department, Chester Fire lost its certification for ambulance service through NorCal EMS, leaving Peninsula Fire as the sole EMS provider in the area. In response, Peninsula Fire agreed to provide Fire/EMS response to Chester through June 2024 to give CPUD time to find a sustainable solution.

In May, Chester’s Fire Chief resigned, and an Interim Fire Chief was appointed from within Chester Fire’s Incident Support Division. Chester Fire Department also continued to honor commitments to its Incident Support Division personnel, allowing the department to participate in mutual aid efforts and statewide Incident Management Teams, which has provided some financial relief.

Meanwhile, a joint work group of CPUD and Peninsula Fire leaders assessed options for returning full-time Fire/EMS services to Chester. On November 1, Chester Fire’s last full-time firefighter will be laid off, and the reserve program will end, leaving Peninsula , West Shore, Prattville, and Hamilton Branch as the remaining emergency response agencies in the area.

Q: Why is Peninsula Fire covering emergencies in Chester without compensation?

A: Peninsula Fire District’s response to emergencies in Chester is part of a strategic effort to ensure the safety and continuity of EMS transport services throughout the Almanor Basin. Here’s a breakdown of the main reasons behind this approach:

1. Compliance with Nor Cal EMS: Peninsula Fire is required by Nor Cal EMS, the regional authority overseeing EMS operations, to respond to all EMS calls that need transport to a hospital. With Chester's closure, the workload has doubled for Peninsula Fire, creating the need for increased staffing to handle the higher call volume. If Peninsula Fire declines these calls, it risks losing its contract with Nor Cal EMS, which would compromise its ability to provide transport services to Peninsula/ Hamilton Branch residents as well.
2. Long-Term Financial Sustainability for Peninsula Residents: While ambulance service billing has temporarily funded the additional paramedic staffing overtime and equipment, relying on this revenue for overtime and resources is not a sustainable long-term strategy.
3. Future Revenue Through Annexation: In a recent Municipal Service Review by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo), Peninsula Fire was identified as the best-suited agency to annex the Chester area. Annexation would allow Peninsula Fire to:
   • Collect service fees from Chester properties, creating a new revenue stream.
   • Staff two additional personnel in Chester to better support emergency services
   • Add an additional ambulance or fire engine in Chester, which would strengthen EMS and fire response across the entire Almanor Basin.
4. Enhanced Regional Emergency Coverage: By annexing Chester, Peninsula Fire can deploy resources in Chester without incurring debt or reducing services for Peninsula/ Hamilton Branch residents. This added capacity would benefit both Chester and Peninsula, enhancing the overall emergency response for larger incidents affecting the entire region.

Annexing Chester is a sustainable solution supported by the administration and labor body of the Peninsula Fire District that would allow Peninsula Fire to support the Fire/EMS needs in both communities without compromising the quality-of-service Peninsula/ Hamilton Branch residents currently receive.

Q: If the annexation is approved, how long will it take to get funding for additional personnel?

A: Once the annexation is approved, it will typically take 6 to 12 months for Peninsula Fire District to start receiving additional tax revenue from the newly annexed Chester properties. The timeline depends on when the annexation is finalized in relation to the county’s fiscal year and tax cycle.

During this initial period, Peninsula Fire will continue to provide a response to Chester based out of the Peninsula fire stations while awaiting the full revenue stream from Chester. Once the new funds are received, Peninsula Fire can allocate them to hire and assign the additional personnel needed in Chester, supporting ambulance and fire response across the Almanor Basin more effectively.

Q: What will happen to the Chester fire station and equipment?

A: As part of the annexation application, a schedule of equipment to be transferred to Peninsula Fire is included. This transfer will cover fire apparatus, ambulances, and all related fire equipment that CPUD no longer needs.

The current CPUD Fire Station at the airport will remain as CPUD’s headquarters for water and sewer operations. The Fire Station at 198 Main St. will stay under CPUD ownership.

Q: Will the Peninsula Fire fee be in addition to the fire tax Chester already pays?

A: Yes, Chester’s existing fire tax will continue to be collected from the Chester Residence only until outstanding debts are cleared. These debts include repayment of funds borrowed from the CPUD sewer fund and termination of the Chester Fire Department’s CalPERS retirement plan for fire employees, which requires an estimated $4.5 million payment.

The annexation plan is structured so that, once these debts are fully repaid, the county will stop collecting Chester Fire’s parcel tax, and Chester residents will then only pay Peninsula Fire’s parcel tax.

Q: Why was it decided to pursue an annexation?

A: As the financial unsustainability of Chester Fire Department became clear, two separate evaluations were conducted. The first occurred after the defeat of Measure A (November 2023), which were proposed parcel taxes to help fund Chester Fire. Following these defeats, the Plumas County Board of Supervisors tasked the Emergency Medical Care Committee (EMCC) with identifying both short- and long-term solutions for providing reliable ambulance service in the Lake Almanor Basin.

Separately, the Plumas Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) conducted a Municipal Service Review led by an independent consultant with expertise in local governance. Both studies, conducted independently, ultimately recommended that Peninsula Fire annex Chester Fire Department’s Sphere of Influence. This annexation would allow Peninsula Fire to formally take over the service area and work toward re-establishing a fully staffed fire station and ambulance in Chester on a 24/7 basis. Emergency response in the Lake Almanor basin largely relies on mutual aid from all agencies. When we lose one of the agencies’ staffing it effects the resiliency of the entire basin You can find both reports on our website for review.

Q: Will the community be able to review the resolution for Chester’s annexation by Peninsula Fire?

A: Yes, the community will have an opportunity to review and provide input on the annexation resolution. Before any annexation is finalized, Peninsula Fire and the Plumas Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) will conduct public meetings to present the annexation proposal, outline the terms, and gather community feedback.

These meetings ensure transparency and allow community members to ask questions, voice concerns, and understand the impact of the proposed annexation. Additionally, the full text of the resolution and related documents will be made publicly available through Peninsula Fire and LAFCo’s official websites and at designated public locations in Chester once they have been reviewed by both CPUD and Peninsula boards.

Q: What will be discussed at the upcoming public hearing to adopt the draft resolution for annexation?

A:, The upcoming public hearing will cover essential topics regarding the future of fire and EMS services in Chester and surrounding areas. Key discussion points will likely include:

1. Purpose and Background of Annexation: Officials will explain the reasons for the annexation, focusing on Chester Fire Department’s financial and staffing challenges and Peninsula Fire’s role in providing EMS and fire response for the area.
2. Service and Staffing Improvements: Plans to enhance emergency services will be discussed, including Peninsula Fire’s goal to establish 24/7 fire and EMS coverage in Chester by assigning additional personnel and resources.
3. Financial Details and Tax Implications: The hearing will address the financial impact on Chester residents, covering the current Chester fire tax, the additional Peninsula Fire’s parcel tax, and how these funds will support improved services.
4. Facilities and Equipment Use: Officials will outline how equipment and facilities, such as fire stations and apparatus, will be managed, including leasing arrangements with Chester PUD for station access.
5. Timeline and Implementation Plan: The proposed timeline for completing the annexation process and implementing service upgrades will be shared, giving residents an understanding of when changes are expected.
6. Community Feedback Session: Community members will have the chance to ask questions, express concerns, and provide feedback on the annexation proposal, ensuring public input is considered in the decision-making process.
7. Next Steps and Approval Process: Details on the formal steps remaining for annexation approval, including any additional meetings or requirements by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo), will be provided.

There will be 2 public hearings for the adoption of a resolution to initiate an application for LAFCo review of a proposed annexation, the first will be at Chester Public Utility District Office 251 Airport Road Chester, CA on Wednesday November 6th at 530PM

The second, will be at Peninsula Fire Station 2, 801 Golf Club Rd Lake Almanor, CA on Friday November 8th at 11 AM. The Peninsula meeting will be available for in person and ZOOM attendance. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83247449624?pwd=rcIMDdjELQQIgnbo9rI8AqRq7XaFC7.1