San Benito County supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved a location on Rosa Morada Road as the preferred site for a Fire Station No. 3 to serve the northern part of the county.
Supervisors approved the preferred location over another option on Flynn Road and a previously considered site at the airport. With a preferred location, the county can move ahead on environmental study of the site and alternatives.
The fire chief, for one, was supportive of the location. He said there are many high-value properties, and the geographic location allows fire crews to reach a lot of residential areas and roadways.
“If you put a fire station out there, we’re Johnny on the spot,” Fire Chief Bob Martin Del Campo told supervisors.
Interim Public Works Director Joe Horwedel told supervisors there would be costs to renovate the Rosa Morada site, formerly home of the Go Kids nonprofit organization, such as the need to build an apparatus bay.
The City of Hollister currently provides fire service for the county and San Juan Bautista. The city’s two existing fire stations are in downtown Hollister and at Airline Highway and Union Road on the southeast side.
