School district approves lease for new fire station in San Bernardino

The San Bernardino City Unified School District announced the approval of a ground lease agreement with the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to facilitate the construction of a new fire station intended to serve the Wildwood Park neighborhood and surrounding areas of the city of San Bernardino.

This strategic collaboration will see County Fire leasing approximately one acre on the southern portion of the Arrowhead Elementary School property to facilitate the building of a new fire station 227. The lease includes provisions for a long-term commitment that could extend up to 99 years, reflecting a significant investment in community safety and infrastructure.

According to the Firehouse National Run Survey 2022, San Bernardino County Fire ranked 14th in total fire department calls. The new fire station will enhance emergency response capabilities in San Bernardino, offering immediate fire protection services directly adjacent to the school site.

“With the City of San Bernardino having one of the highest call volumes in the country, this fire station is a necessary expansion of our capacity to ensure swift, efficient emergency responses,” said Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. “It will significantly bolster our preparedness and ability to protect our community and the surrounding areas, particularly those most vulnerable.”

The modernized, energy-efficient facility is set to replace the community’s existing station, located at 282 W. 40th St., which has proudly operated since 1953. The new station will include additional apparatus space and accommodate additional personnel to meet the fire, rescue and EMS needs for decades to come.

“Supervisor Baca has always been a big supporter of our schools here in San Bernardino City Unified and this new agreement with San Bernardino County Fire would not have been possible without his efforts. We are excited about the positive impact this will have on the community of San Bernardino and the staff and students at Arrowhead Elementary School,” said Superintendent Mauricio Arellano. “This partnership is in direct alignment with the district’s recently Board-adopted Vision 2030: SBCUSD SHINES initiative, where student success is bolstered through collaborations. Great things are happening ‘right here’ in San Bernardino.”

This proximity to the school and residential areas ensures that the fire station is a visible, integral part of the community it aims to protect, further enhancing the safety net for the residents of San Bernardino.

“We are incredibly thankful to the San Bernardino City Unified School District for their partnership and commitment to public safety,” said San Bernardino County Fire Chief Dan Munsey. “Their collaboration on building this new fire station is foundational to our efforts to improve fire protection services, decrease response times and better serve the community of San Bernardino.”

The construction and operational details of the fire station will adhere to the highest standards of safety and efficiency, ensuring a state-of-the-art facility that meets the growing needs of the city of San Bernardino.

For more information about the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District and its services, please visit sbcfire.org.

Additional County Update News – May 16, 2024