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allocation for the City was $4.9 million and the District amount was $5.8 million. Combined, both
agencies are paying just under $10.8 million for their service contract to CAL FIRE. This provides
24/7 protection to a combined service population of 80,568 and a service area of over 332
square miles.
TABLE 3-6: Budget and Service Profile
FY 2015-16
Budget
Population
Service Area
Personnel
Alarm Activity
Morgan Hill
$5.35 million
42,068
12.8 Sq.
Miles
25
3,066
SSCCFD
$5.98 million
38,500 320 Sq. Miles
31
1,929
Total
$11.33 million
80,568 332 Sq. Miles
56
4,995*
*Note: Excludes cancelled calls and calls handled by mutual aid partners.
Perhaps the most challenging question being faced by local elected officials and municipal
administrators across the nation is how much fire and EMS protection is appropriate for their
community. Though there are a whole host of guidelines, as well as historical and political
influences that frame this issue, it ultimately comes down to local officials to determine what is
right for their community. The level of protection currently being provided in Morgan Hill and
SSCCFD is sufficiently meeting the service demand and the level of protection is very
appropriate for the anticipated risk. The key efficiency involved in the current arrangement is the
co-utilization of resources between the City and District, combined with the expertise in both
command functions and financial oversight provided by the CAL FIRE leadership. In addition,
CAL FIRE maintains tremendous depth in the amounts and types of resources that can be drawn
upon during those more unique or larger incidents. CPSM believes that the cost of services
provided by CAL FIRE is extremely cost effective and less expensive than if the City or District
individually would attempt to replicate these services. When looking at the City of Gilroy, which
CPSM believes would be comparable to either the City or the District if they chose to operate
independently, it was found that Gilroy is expending in excess of $8 million dollars for its fire
department operations. The Gilroy Fire Department employs 41 personnel and operates three
fire stations in a city of approximately 50,000 and handles just over 5,200 calls annually. The
expenditures in Gilroy are significantly higher than the current expenditures of either the City or
District individually.
Recommendation: The City of Morgan Hill and the SSCCFD should continue the
contractual relationship with CAL FIRE for protecting their respective communities.
USE OF VOLUNTEERS
CAL FIRE supports a volunteer corps in the District and is attempting to build a volunteer effort
within the City service area. Currently, 12 volunteers are active in the District and they are used
primarily in support roles, during special events, and during larger incidents.
The ability to develop and maintain a volunteer contingent is extremely difficult in suburban
areas in which residents commute to work in neighboring urban areas. CAL FIRE maintains the
training and proficiency of its volunteers to bolster staffing during peak demand periods and
during larger incidents. Volunteer efforts are typically more productive in rural areas in which
members of the community work and reside within the jurisdiction. CAL FIRE does not pay for
volunteer services. Typically those areas that support volunteers provide financial support either