‘Deeply troubling’: Avenal’s plan for own fire department sparks concerns

AVENAL, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Kings County Professional Firefighters Association said Wednesday that “it’s deeply troubling” in response to what they said was the City of Avenal establishing its own fire department.

Avenal’s City Manager, Antony Lopez, said that on Aug. 4, the City of Avenal voted unanimously 5-0 to approve and sign a three-year fire services contract with Kings County through 2027, at a cost $1,096,310 for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years.

According to the city agenda for Sept. 11, the city has been evaluating options to pursue long-term, reliable fire protection for Avenal. One of the viable options was creating a locally operated fire department.

In the agenda, it states, “With a stronger financial footing to invest in itself, the City is now positioned to begin pursuing this option in a way that builds local capacity and creates long-term opportunity.”

It also states that the proposed ordinance does not immediately create a new fire department but rather establishes the legal framework that will allow the city to continue to prepare for the option. The agenda also states that in the meantime, fire protection services will continue without interruption through Kings County until a locally operated department is determined to be fully operational and ready.

The Kings County Firefighters Local 3747 said on social media that regarding the vote on the city’s move to establish its own fire department, it is “ending a decades-long partnership with the Kings County Fire Department.”

They said that despite their efforts to negotiate a contract, the city’s leaders have chosen a path that would leave residents vulnerable.

“Professional fire protection is not a service that can be replicated overnight, nor can lives be safeguarded through incomplete planning and poor communication. This decision could have profound consequences on the safety of Avenal families, businesses, and property owners.”

Lopez responded regarding what was being said, and he said that he was disappointed to see how things were being “misconstrued” on social media regarding the resolution.

“The City has and will continue to pay the County for its services as agreed upon in that contract. Any suggestion that Avenal is abandoning fire protection overnight or without a plan is simply false,” he said. “Our resolution says it all, to continue working with the county.”

To read Kings County Firefighters Local 3747’s full statement, click here.