TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Ryan J. Alsop, Chief Executive Officer
REPORT BY: J.R. Rogers, Fire Administrator
SUBJECT: Fire Organizational Structure Study
RECOMMENDATION
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Receive a presentation of the Fire Organizational Structure Study and provide direction. (No Fiscal Impact)
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BACKGROUND
In June 2023, the Board of Supervisors received the Napa County Fire Master Plan created by AP Triton (“Master Plan”) and directed staff to solicit a study of the Napa County Fire Department’s organizational structure. A Request for Proposals was issued, and on November 7, 2023, the Board awarded a contract to Matrix Consulting Ltd. (“Matrix”) to complete the Fire Organizational Structure Study (“Study”). Work began in early 2024, concurrent with an independent study initiated by the Napa County Local Agency Formation Commission (“LAFCO”).
Scope of the Study
Matrix utilized the Master Plan report previously completed for the fire department as a foundation for their work, updating information to reflect progress made since that report’s publication.
Matrix analyzed five organizational options for the contract’s scope of work:
1. Status Quo - Continue contracting with CAL FIRE
2. Contract with City of Napa for countywide fire protection
3. Contract with American Canyon Fire Protection District for countywide fire protection
4. Form a County Fire Protection District (independent taxing authority)
5. Create a County-Staffed Fire Department
Each scenario included detailed staffing plans, cost projections, and service delivery implications. As part of the study, Matrix conducted interviews with all fire departments within Napa County, volunteer firefighters, County staff, and members of the Board of Supervisors. They also visited select fire stations and facilities throughout the County.
Fire Administration reviewed the draft report and provided updates to incorporate data from the 2025 Cooperative Agreement with CAL FIRE. Direction was also given to include a preliminary review of potential funding mechanisms for the Napa County Fire Department. The Matrix study was conducted independent of LAFCO’s municipal services review. Matrix noted that while the findings of the LAFCO study may be of interest, they are unlikely to alter the recommendations of this study given its different scope of work.
Matrix recommends the County examine the feasibility of forming a dependent/independent countywide fire district with a dedicated funding source while maintaining the Cooperative Agreement with CAL FIRE for service delivery. CAL FIRE remains the most cost-effective and sustainable partner for Napa County, building upon 93 years of continuous service. Furthermore, establishing a fire district could consolidate fire suppression and prevention programs, leverage existing fire tax revenues, address ongoing operational and capital funding shortfalls, and provide a long-term dedicated funding mechanism for fuels reduction and other fire resilience projects. Further study is warranted to determine whether a sales or parcel tax is preferred by the community.
Procedural Requirements:
1. Staff report
2. Board questions for staff
3. Public comment
4. Provide direction to staff, as appropriate
Requested Action:
Receive presentation of the Fire Organization Structure Study and provide staff direction.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Additional Information: |
Strategic Initiative: Elevate County Service and Workforce Excellence |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and, therefore, CEQA is not applicable.