Berkeley Unveils Historic $12.75 Million Investment in Fire Safety and Announce Collaborative Regional Approach
MAYOR JESSE ARREGUÍN AND FIRE CHIEF UNVEIL HISTORIC $12.75 MILLION INVESTMENT IN FIRE SAFETY AND ANNOUNCE COLLABORATIVE REGIONAL APPROACH
Alongside a historic $12.75 million investment in fire safety, Berkeley set to work with local neighborhoods and regional partners to bolster fire safety efforts and address shared concerns over the growing threat of wildfires
July 8, 2021
BERKELEY - Today, Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín was joined by Interim Berkeley Fire Chief Abraham Roman to unveil upcoming plans to dramatically increase fire safety spending and efforts to strengthen a regional, collaborative approach to fire safety.
“As the East Bay approaches the 30th anniversary of the infamous 1991 Tunnel Fire, the City of Berkeley is taking action to prepare Berkeley for the growing threat of climate change induced wildfires,” said Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín. “As we head into what experts predict will be a dire fire wildfire season, I am working to ensure the Berkeley Fire Department has the necessary resources to protect our community. Furthermore, I am committed to collaborating with local neighborhoods and regional partners to create a collaborative regional approach to fire safety. Though Berkeley is proceeding with the utmost urgency to safeguard our community, my message to residents is this: make a plan, pack a go-bag, and be prepared to evacuate if the time comes.”
As a result of voter approved Measure FF, Berkeley will invest $12.75 million to address the city’s approach to fire safety. Specific initiatives include the expansion of vegetation clearing efforts, installation of a new evacuation warning system, the purchase of additional emergency vehicles, neighborhood evacuation drills, developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the construction of larger training facilities. In addition, Berkeley is joining forces with local partners including UC Berkeley, the City of Oakland and the East Bay Regional Parks District as part of a collaborative regional effort to confront the regional threat posed by wildfires.
“Thanks to Berkeley’s historic investment in fire safety, the Berkeley Fire Department is strongly positioned to confront the upcoming fire season,” said Fire Chief Roman. “I implore residents to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect yourselves, your loved ones, and your community.”
“I am grateful to be part of Berkeley’s leadership in recognizing and responding to the growing threat of wildfires with proactive and preventive actions,” said Councilmember Susan Wengraf, who represents the North Berkeley hills. “By way of this historic investment in fire safety, I am confident the City of Berkeley is making every resource available to our frontline heroes who risk their lives to protect our community.”
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