Another Reverse For Joint Fire Station Plan

The city of Lafayette talks about the potential for a shift of fire districts.

The Moraga-Orinda Fire District board moved away from the purchase of an El Nido Ranch Road property that had been touted as a site for a jointly operated fire station covering parts of Lafayette and Orinda.

The MOFD Board of Directors on Wednesday night voted 3-2 for termination of the sales contract for the property, which was envisioned as a fire station to be operated by MOFD and ConFire (the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District). That means MOFD forfeiting a $15,000 non-refundable deposit on the property, according to the Lamorinda Weekly.

It was hoped the new station would cover areas previously in the territory of ConFire Station 16 in Lafayette (closed in January) and MOFD Station 43. The MOFD website has an analysis of response times in the area.

The deal took a hit on Tuesday, as well, when the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors (in its role in supervising ConFire) voted to suspend negotiations toward a jointly operated station.

MOFD Director Steve Anderson voted for the termination of the sales contract while voicing support for Lafayette joining MOFD: "If Lafayette wants to be our partner, they need to step up," the Lamorinda Weekly reported.