The Marin County Fire Department will add four positions over the next two years to improve personnel coverage at local stations, boost wildfire fuel reduction efforts and bolster its defensible space program -- a move estimated to cost $1.82 million over the next two years in salaries and costs of equipment, vehicles and maintenance, according to county officials.
No increase in net costs will hit the county's general fund, however, as funding will come from the Marin County Open Space District and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, aka CAL FIRE.
The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved the fixed-term positions during its April 9 meeting.
"This allows us to provide more consistent and experienced leadership to the two existing seasonal fire crews without reducing personnel assigned to engine companies and fire stations," Fire Chief Jason Weber said.