East Bay City Loses Only Fire Station

Closure could add five minutes to some emergency response calls

It's official. The Contra Costa Supervisors voted to close the four fire stations.

They will close on Jan. 15 2013.

Stations to close:

  • 11 Clayton, the city’s only fire station
  • 4 Walnut Creek-which leaves the city 3 stations
  • 12 Martinez, which leaves the city 2 stations
  • 16 Lafayette, which leaves the city 2 stations

Clayton Mayor Julie Pierce said she is tremendously disappointed that the station in her city is on the list. 

The closure could add as many as five minutes to response times. "Five minutes can be life or death and that's a very strong concern for us," Pierce said. "I don't know what the answer is but the district has to get its act together"

The nearest station to the one that is closing in Clayton is six miles away.

The reason for the closures is money. A measure on the November ballot failed. The mayor said she thinks the residents didn't feel confident in the fire district's arguments, adding the district needed to do a better job explaining what they've done to get pensions under control.

The firefighters at the stations set for closure will not lose their jobs. They will be placed at other stations in the county.

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