Q & A : Huntington Beach Fire Chief Michael Dolder

Huntington Beach officials say two or three fire stations need to be constructed in the next few years to accommodate the city’s growing population.

Huntington Beach currently has seven fire stations and employs 146 firefighters to serve 190,000 residents.

But Fire Chief Michael Dolder said as many as three new firehouses should be considered, including one to serve the development proposed for the Bolsa Chica area.

Dolder recently discussed the issue with Times correspondent Debra Cano.

Q: Why are additional fire stations needed in the city?

A: The city’s General Plan and other standards currently require the Fire Department to respond to fire and medical emergencies within five minutes 80% of the time. We currently do not meet this requirement in several areas of the community. Those neighborhoods are near Seapoint Street and west of Golden West Street, and the western area of Huntington Harbour.

Q: How many fire stations are needed to service the community in the future?

A: It depends on what happens with the Cross Gap Connector--a proposed road that would run across the Bolsa Chica wetlands. If the Cross Gap Connector is built, the city would need to relocate Station 8, which is now on Heil Avenue--and build another new station. Even without the connector, the department would have to relocate one station and build two additional fire stations.

Q: Where should the stations be and when would they be built?

A: Whether the Cross Gap Connector is built or not, Station 8 should be moved to Graham Street and Production Drive. If the road is built, a new station is needed at Springdale Street and the Cross Gap Connector. Without the new street, two new stations should be added, one at Kennilworth Drive and Graham Street and the other near Edwards Street and Garfield Avenue.

Q: What will it cost for the firehouses and where will the money come from?

A: The cost will vary based on land costs and site preparation. We estimate constructing and equipping a station costs about $2.7 million. One station is funded by the Holly-Seacliff development agreement. The other two stations would be funded from the general fund and/or future development agreements.

Q: What are the benefits to the community when the fire stations are built and in operation?

A: The new stations will eliminate response time deficiencies in the Bolsa Chica and Holly-Seacliff development areas. Currently, response time exceeds the city’s five-minute standard. Two additional paramedic units will be added to the present total of five.