Sonoma County, with more than 40 firefighting agencies and chronically underfunded fire service, may consolidate some districts while it seeks new ways to help other districts share resources.
Changes include a new North Coast fire district while proposals include a single fire chief overseeing two south county districts; another chief-sharing plan involving Glen Ellen and Sonoma Valley; consolidation of north county fire agencies and ongoing discussions for change amongst agencies along the Russian River Valley and Sonoma coast.
The decisions are being hammered out in conversations among fire officials, city councils, the Board of Supervisors and other officials. Fire chiefs have told supervisors that countywide, the agencies need another $9 million to eliminate funding deficits, maintain equipment and station needs, and recruit and retain volunteers.