LAFCO Approves Divestiture Plan for Fire Service in Oceano

Author: Administrative Office
Date: 12/19/2024 11:22 AM

Oceano Fire Service Levels Remain Unchanged

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The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) has approved the divestiture of fire service responsibilities from the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD) to the County of San Luis Obispo who will contract with the Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA), ensuring that fire protection services in Oceano will remain uninterrupted and at the same high service levels. The agreement, reached by OCSD, the County of San Luis Obispo, and FCFA, will go into effect once the OCSD formally exits its role as the fire service provider in early 2025.

Under this new arrangement, the Five Cities Fire Authority will continue to serve the Oceano community through its Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach fire stations. Response times are expected to remain consistent, between 7 to 9 minutes from the Arroyo Grande station and 7 to 11 minutes from the Grover Beach station, providing the same high-quality service that residents have come to expect. There will be no reduction in service levels, and the move ensures that fire protection resources remain available to the Oceano community without disruption.
"This agreement represents a significant milestone for Oceano and the broader region," said LAFCO Executive Director Rob Fitzroy. "When the OCSD announced it could no longer provide fire protection services, there was considerable concern about the future of fire services in the area. However, through collaboration between LAFCO, the County, OCSD, and the FCFA, we’ve reached a solution that not only preserves the quality of service but also ensures the fiscal responsibility of the County."

The divestiture process began after the OCSD Board of Directors voted in January 2023 to cease providing fire services due to financial constraints, following the failure of two revenue-generating ballot initiatives. In response, the County has formally assumed the role of successor agency and entered into a service agreement with FCFA to maintain service levels. The closure of the Oceano Fire Station pre-dated the County taking over fire service and was a result of the OCSD’s inability to pay for fire service. For the past year and a half all fire personnel have been responding to incidents from the Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach stations.

"This agreement is a win for the Oceano community, ensuring stable fire services while minimizing fiscal impacts to the County," said LAFCO Commissioner and Fourth District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding. "The collaborative efforts of the County, the OCSD, and the FCFA have made this transition possible, and we are confident this will continue to benefit the residents of Oceano and South County.”

The final steps of the divestiture process were completed when LAFCO protest hearings were held without protest, thus formalizing the transition and ensuring that the community of Oceano continues to receive high-quality fire services.

About LAFCO
The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) is responsible for overseeing the boundaries and services of local governmental agencies within San Luis Obispo County. LAFCO strives to promote efficient, effective, and responsive local government services for the benefit of all residents.
For more information on this agreement or other LAFCO activities, please visit www.slo.lafco.ca.gov or contact:
Rob Ritzroy
Executive Officer - LAFCO
805-788-2096
[email protected]
www.slo.lafco.ca.gov 

Supervisor Jimmy Paulding
805-781-4337
[email protected]