Council to Vote on Fire Merger Tonight

The Burlingame City Council tonight will discuss a merger between the and the Millbrae and San Bruno fire departments. The Central County Fire Department currently serves Burlingame and Hillsborough.

City council members in Millbrae and San Bruno both voted unanimously on Tuesday approving moving forward with merging their fire stations with Central County Fire.

The plan would involve closing two stations—one on Hillsdale Drive in Burlingame and one on Crestview Drive in Millbrae. They would be replaced by a new department at Trousdale and Hunt Drive in Burlingame. 

Tuesday’s votes came after four years of discussion that includes 15 possible cost-saving scenarios between the San Bruno, Millbrae and Central County Fire agencies. If a personnel and station merger did occur, Millbrae would contribute 20 percent of costs, while San Bruno and Central County Fire would provide 30 and 50 percent, respectively. 

Although no personnel would be fired, the departments will not hire a new firefighter when one leaves. 

“We discussed whether we move forward with full consolidation or explore a federation model,” said Burlingame City Manager Jim Nantell.

 Millbrae and San Bruno firefighters will adopt the salary and benefits of Central County firefighters under the plan.

The plan holds an estimated savings of $546,000 annually for Burlingame.

For a full agenda of Monday night's meeting, click here.

--Bay City News contributed to this report.