Myth 8 - First Street is the best location for a Brentwood fire station
- BVMB Board
- Feb 11
- 2 min read
❌ Myth: First Street is the best location for a new fire station.
✅ Fact: Response time is the most critical factor in fire station placement, and downtown Brentwood is not the best choice for fast emergency response.
The most important aspect of placing a fire station is response time. Would anyone honestly argue that the fastest response times come from the heart of downtown on First Street?
Better Locations Exist
There are several sites along Brentwood Boulevard that would provide faster emergency response.
A fire station should exit directly onto a major thoroughfare—not navigate narrow downtown streets, school zones, or heavy traffic congestion.
If your house was on fire, would you want firefighters fighting school traffic just to reach you?
The City Has Changed – The Old Fire Station Location No Longer Makes Sense
Since the previous fire station closed, Brentwood has grown significantly.
Streets have narrowed due to new medians in front of Liberty High School and bump-outs at First & Oak, making emergency exits slower and more hazardous.
Former Fire Commissioner Agrees – This Is the Wrong Location
Dewey DeMartini, former Fire Commissioner, publicly stated that First Street is not the best location for the fire station.
We agree with his assessment that response times would be faster from other available sites.
Fire District Fails to Justify This Location
Despite these concerns, the fire district has not conducted a response time study or proper assessment. Instead, they claim the project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because a fire station used to be there decades ago—ignoring how much the city has changed since then.
Want to See the Data on Fire Station Placement?
Check out these resources on why fire station location matters:
The Bigger Issue: Land Use Restrictions
While response time concerns are real and should be addressed, the core issue remains: this land was purchased with a special tax for veterans' use. The County does not have the legal right to repurpose it.
A smarter, more strategic approach is possible. The County should work collaboratively with the City, local businesses, and veterans to select a fire station location that prioritizes public safety while also respecting the legal dedication of veterans’ property. There is no need to force this issue when better options exist—locations that would provide faster emergency response times, minimal disruption to downtown businesses, and compliance with land use restrictions.
💡 Bottom Line: First Street is not the best location for a fire station, and the County should not ignore land use restrictions to force it through.
Yes to the Station, NO to the Location
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