Response to Chief Burris’ Comment on the Discovery Bay Fire
- BVMB Board
- May 30
- 2 min read
First, let me express sincere appreciation for the firefighters who responded to the recent house fire in Discovery Bay. Their quick action saved lives and property, and our community is grateful for their courage and professionalism.
However, it was disappointing to see Contra Costa Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Burris seize on this emergency to make a political point. He stated: “Once the station in downtown Brentwood is built, incidents like this will be mitigated sooner.” That comment aligns with the fear-based tactics being pushed by Supervisor Diane Burgis and others who are attempting to override local planning standards in favor of a deeply flawed project.
Let’s consider the facts.
The fire occurred less than half a mile from Fire Station 99 on Bixler Road—only 1,821 feet away. To suggest that a station located over 10 miles away in downtown Brentwood would somehow improve response times to Discovery Bay, even for a two-alarm fire, stretches credibility. That’s not strategic planning—it’s political theater.
Of course, more fire trucks arriving sooner can help suppress fires faster. That’s just common sense. But suggesting that downtown Brentwood is the best or only place to add that capacity is not common sense. It’s poor planning.
The proposed Sand Creek location, by contrast, provides multiple access routes—including Garin Parkway—and could reach key areas just as fast, if not faster, than a congested downtown route. Moreover, the Sand Creek site allows for future expansion, making room for additional apparatus and personnel as Brentwood continues to grow. The downtown site is landlocked, with no room to grow. This isn't just about today’s needs—it’s about planning for the future.
This is exactly the kind of shortsighted decision-making that has brought us to this point. Instead of adjusting course and pursuing a location that serves the whole city more effectively, the County and Fire District are doubling down, trying to force a monument-sized station into an already impacted area—at the expense of Brentwood residents and veterans who have used that site for a century.
The City Council should demand better. The community is not asking for miracles—we're asking for good governance, data-driven planning, and honest dialogue.
Source
Two-alarm house fire in Discovery Bay community alarms residents
Jeff Weisinger May 28, 2025
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