Officials Bless Marin Fire Agency Merger

MILL VALLEY, CA — City and fire officials unanimously approved plans to consolidate the Mill Valley Fire Department into the Southern Marin Fire Protection District.

Mill Valley's assistant city manager and the Southern Marin district's fire chief filed a request on Oct. 3 for the City Council and the Southern Marin Fire District's board of directors to apply for the annexation of the local fire department.

Since 2014, the fire services have shared services agreements to consider a potential consolidation effort. Over the years, the agencies have shared battalion chiefs, a fire chief, a fire marshal and staff.

"It's a long time coming for our fire services to implement programs and efficiencies that result in cost savings while enhancing firefighter and citizen safety," Mayor Jim Wickham said in a statement.

"Our council has worked closely with Fire administration, SMFPD Board and labor unions since 2014 and unilaterally support the recommendation for annexation to LAFCO."

Agency staff determined that the services could better conduct operations, enhance services and utilize costs more efficiently.

"We are excited about the efficiencies this relationship offers the community," Fire Chief Chris Tubbs said in a statement .

"Consolidated efforts that enhance safety, increase financial resiliency, contain costs and improve bottom line services such as fire prevention are the exact results we feel our community demands."

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