San Benito and San Juan Bautista Collaborate to Form New CA Fire Department

    May 8, 2025
    The search is on to find a fire chief to lead the initiative that will enhance services in the communities.

    San Benito County and San Juan Bautista are joining forces to form a new fire department.

    The first step is find a fire chief. And the search has started. 

    "It's a good thing for all of us. San Juan Bautista is the county, city of Hollister. What it means is that we're going to put a program together that's going to offer more services and more protection throughout the county," a San Nenito County Supervisor Ignacio Velazquez told KSBW.

    Hollister firefighters handle calls in both counties until the agreement expires at the end of the year. They asked for $6.9 million between the two jurisdictions which officials said they can't afford. 

     

    About the Author

    Susan Nicol | News Editor

    Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

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