Lafayette Again Considers Partnership With Moraga Orinda Fire District

by Jim Caroompas

The Moraga Orinda Fire District Board will once again consider purchasing a two-acre parcel in Lafayette on which to build a new fire station, the MOFD board agreed at a meeting on Thursday.

The rub remains the same, though: where will the money come from, and what role, if any, will Lafayette play in the deal?

The MOFD board dropped an earlier idea to form a partnership with Lafayette and the Consolidated Fire District when the county board of supervisors dismissed the idea of such a joint operation.

Now MOFD and Lafayette will take a look at joining forces to fund the purchase of the property on El Nido Ranch Road, and build a station that would serve both western Lafayette and Orinda. The station would replace Station 14 in Lafayette, which was closed earlier this year by the board of supervisors, and Orinda’s Station 43, which is condemned.

Lafayette officials feel that the city is unfairly subsidizing Con Fire’s operations. With only two stations, City Manager Steve Falk says the city is paying $7.8 million per year to operate two stations, while other cities pay far less.

To buy the land and build a station would cost between $5 and $6 million, according to the Contra Costa Times. That does not include annual operating costs or personnel.

If Lafayette breaks away from Con Fire and chooses to team up with MOFD, it will create even more financial trouble for Con Fire, which is already struggling to keep its remaining fire stations open. So it is likely that Con Fire and county officials will do everything they can to prevent such a partnership.

MOFD board members Fred Weil and John Wyro will continue to meet with Lafayette officials to explore the delivery of fire and emergency services.

What do you think? Should Lafayette join forces with MOFD and build a new fire station, or continue to be a part of Con Fire? Tell us in the comments.