KEEP UNION CITY SAFE

When seconds count you can expect your firefighters to respond fast and fully equipped to a fire or medical emergency. Response times can make the difference between life and death.

The Union City Council has opted for slower emergency response by voting to close Fire Station 30,

That means it will take longer to respond to fires and medical emergencies when it’s needed the most.

Voters in Union City passed Measure QQ in 2016 to keep all fire stations open. The Mayor and majority of City Council have decided to ignore your vote and close Fire Station 30.

As Union City residents, you deserve to be safe in your community and your voice should be heard by your elected officials.

If you are concerned about your access to adequate public safety and emergency response, contact your City Council member today.

Questions & Answers

Q. What will happen to response times with the closure of Station 30?

A. With Station 30 open today, getting the required number of firefighters on a residential structure fire is 20 minutes. That is already significantly longer than the national standard of 12 minutes. When Station 30 is closed response times for fires, medical emergencies, vehicle accidents and all levels of response will be significantly impacted.

Q. How many minutes will medical response time increase by?

A. Many variables will play a factor in response times. One example is Station 32, the closest station available to serve the residents once served by Station 30. If station 32 is on a call in their own district and medical emergency response is needed at Pioneer Elementary School, then the closest engine would come from the middle of town. That drive time is greater than 10 minutes without traffic. That is too long to wait for a medical emergency.

Q. What is the risk of longer response time?

A. Whether it’s fire or medical response, seconds can mean the difference between life and death. The longer the response time the more danger a structure or person will be in.

Q. What is the national standard for response times?

A. For medical emergency responses, the national standard is less than 6 minutes. For fire response all firefighters on scene in 12 minutes.

Q. How many fire stations should Union City have?

A. Studies show that Union City needs increased staffing and fire companies not less. This is based on call volume, city geography and density.

Q. How many calls does Union City’s Fire Department respond to?

A. Approximately 4,500 calls a year.

Q. What was Measure QQ? Will Union City meet its obligation to voters under Measure QQ with Fire Station 30 closed?

A. Measure QQ is the “Public Safety Parcel Tax”.  It was passed in the early 2000’s and has been reauthorized multiple times including in 2016.  This tax measure ensured fire stations will remain open if the citizens agree to pass it.  Station 30’s closure means the city will not meet its obligation under Measure QQ, essentially breaking its promise to voters.

Q. How can we stop the closure?

A. Contact your city council and demand Fire Station 30 remain open. Click here to find their contact information.