It’s been more than 10 years since the permanent closure of East Contra Costa Fire Protection District’s Station 54. But thanks to Contra Costa County’s Measure X and the 2022 merger of East Contra Costa Fire into Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Downtown Brentwood will soon have a revitalized fire station.
Longtime residents will remember that multiple fire departments have used a fire station at 739 First Street, beginning with the Brentwood Fire District in 1928 and most recently East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD). When ECCFPD was forced to close Station 54 in September 2014, it was due to the financial difficulties of a small fire district serving an ever-growing East County population after the Great Recession; the need for fire and EMS services never declined.
supervisor Diane Burgis
Thankfully, the merger into Contra Costa Fire and voters’ passage of the countywide Measure X sales tax have increased service levels in East County. While ECCFPD had only 9 firefighters on duty at any time to cover 249 square miles, Contra Costa Fire now has funding to cover that same area with more than double the staff, 19 firefighters and paramedics who can carry out advanced life support in an emergency.
This year, Station 94 will be constructed on the site of the former Station 54 to bring back the fire protection and emergency medical services that Central and East Brentwood deserve. There has been some misinformation spread about whether a fire station can still fit Downtown Brentwood. Allow me to share the facts about incoming Station 94:
Station 94 is in the perfect location to address the needs of the majority of Brentwood. Contra Costa Fire has mapped the density of calls for service in East County, and the largest, densest area of need is around Downtown Brentwood, exactly around the planned Station 94 site.
The Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building at 757 First Street will continue to operate fully on County-owned land that the veterans groups lease for $1 per year. While Contra Costa Fire owns the parcel for the station, the neighboring parcel for the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building is owned by the County. Contra Costa County sta , Contra Costa Fire leadership, my sta and I have been consulting since 2023 with the veterans groups using the Memorial Building. We have granted an easement for their wheelchair ramp and earmarked $350,000 in funds to improve the building, including adding permitted storage and o icial on-site handicapped parking. The Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building is here to stay, and it is located on County-owned land.
Fire responses from Station 94 will not interfere with outdoor special events, parades or farmers markets in Downtown Brentwood. Station 94 will have Type I and Type III fire engines, which are smaller and more maneuverable than ladder trucks. Fire and ambulance responses downtown currently have no navigational issues.
Locating Station 94 on First Street is the best use of taxpayer dollars and the fastest way to build a station in Brentwood’s highest area of need. Building a station on land that Contra Costa Fire already owns saves taxpayers millions of dollars and potentially years of delays to search out and purchase a new parcel and complete new environmental reviews.
Residents should fully understand what their county government is doing to make them safe and improve the important community buildings that honor our veterans. Please read the facts at my website and on Contra Costa Fire’s FAQ page about the new stations.
District 3 Website: contracosta.ca.gov/District3
Contra Costa Fire: www.cccfpd.org/new-stations/
If you have further questions, I invite you to call my o ice at 925-655-2330 or email [email protected].
Editors Note: Previous Stories
- Feb 2025 – Supervisors Get Update on East County Service Center, Youth Centers
- Jan 2024 – Brentwood Gets Update on Two Future Contra Costa Fire Stations
- Oct 2023 – Burgis: New Fire Stations Will Make Brentwood Safer
