New Fire Station Lightens Load for Santa Maria First Responders

Santa maria’s fire district three, is the busiest fire district from Salinas to Oxnard.But a new station is expected to lighten the load for the first responders.Residents who live on the north end of town in Santa Maria, are thrilled about new fire station number five–the first and only fire station on the east side of highway 101.Previously, station three covered the entire section of the city north of Alvin Avenue, making it the busiest in the city.Calls will now be split between stations five and three. “Its huge from a response time perspective.”Chief Dan Orr says plans to build the new station have been in the works for years, but thanks to federal stimulus money, the dreams have become a reality.Santa Maria City Fire is also beefing up its staff. It is in the process of hiring ten new firefighters.In June, voters agreed to pay a quarter cent sales tax in order to help fund the positions.The department also recently received a $1.6 million grant to help pay for the new hires’ wages and benefits over the next two years.For residents, he extra protection is priceless.