Measure L will approve using Parkland for Fire Station 37. Parkland is precious and not free. We should not give it away without careful consideration. Fire Station 37, as proposed, is not in the best service location. It is placed in the least expensive location.
In 2007 the City Council approved a budget that included closing Fire Station 6 in order to pay for Fire Station 37 construction. This was wrong.
Fire safety decisions are too important to be solely based on budget decisions. Decisions to close a fire station should depend primarily on fire and emergency medical needs measurements.
The budget should be adjusted to build Fire Station 37 AND to keep Fire Station 6 open as a full service Fire Station. Fire Station 6 will be needed to protect the future high density development around Fire Station 6.
There should be an open public process in determining Fire Station locations and possible closures. Such a process was not followed for this decision.
San Jose must fully fund
Basic Fire and Emergency Medical Services.