Hank Sims / Yesterday @ 3:18 p.m. / Agendizer
How Will the Arcata Fire District Deal With Seven-Story Residential Buildings in the Future? On Wednesday, There’ll be a Special Study Session Dealing With Just That Question
PREVIOUSLY:
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Remember last year, when Arcata’s Gateway Area Plan was being fiercely debated? There was a moment with the Arcata Fire District raised its hand and said: Uh, you say you want to build medium-rise buildings as large seven stories high, yeah? But we don’t have the equipment or ability to serve buildings that tall!
And remember how then, in the meanwhile, Cal Poly Humboldt went ahead and built a new seven-story high dorm?
Well, in the meanwhile, those three entities — city government, the fire district and the university — got together and commissioned an outside consultant to take objective stock of the situation, to lay out a roadmap for how to get the fire district prepared for the future.
That consultant’s report is now in, and the Arcata City Council and the board of directors of the Arcata Fire District are set to get their first look at in at a special study session scheduled this Wednesday, at 3:30 p.m.
The report, by AP Triton — a consulting firm specializing in emergency services — reads very much like a table-setting sort of study. It doesn’t go deep on exactly what kinds of equipment the district will need in the future, or what kinds of training its personnel should pursue. Rather, it sort of lays the table for these particular discussions with a broad overview of the district, its current challenges and the kinds of challenges it’s likely to face in the future.
In total, AP Triton makes 18 recommendations for the fire district, moving forward. Many of these are procedural — “develop a master plan,” “expand AFFD public education program,” etc. — but a few are aimed at defending existing sources of revenue and developing new ones. Among these: Working with the city and the county to assess development impact fees to benefit the district, to charge for emergency medical services, or to establish an enhanced infrastructure financing district.
You can find AP Triton’s entire 291-page report at this link.
It’ll all be hashed over at the study session — and the public is welcome to attand, of course. The Arcata City Council meets in Arcata City Hall — 736 F Street — at 3:30 p.m. Immediately before the fire services study session — at 3 p.m. — there will be a special meeting of the council to talk about hiring a consultant to update the city’s economic strategic plan. You can find that agenda at this link.
Below: The agenda for the study session, with links to the relevant documentation.
Arcata City Council
July 30, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL / ATTENDANCE AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
4. DISCUSSION
a. Receive the Arcata Fire District’s Standards of Coverage Report.
The city council is being asked to review a report on the Arcata Fire District’s ability to provide services to the community as new developments are built. The report was funded by the city, the fire district, and the university. The report addresses concerns about the fire district’s capacity to serve larger buildings and a higher population, and recommends discussing the implications of the report. The council is recommended to receive a presentation on the report and discuss it further.
— LoCOBot
Come gather ‘round, ye city folk, and listen to me tale
Of the Arcata Fire District and the standards they do hail
A report was prepared, funded by the city fair
To address the growing needs of fire and emergency care
The City, the District, and Cal Poly did unite
To ensure the safety of all, both day and night
With higher-density buildings on the rise
The District raised concerns, they did not disguise
The Standards of Coverage Report was born
To plan for the future, to weather the storm
With mid-rise buildings and a higher call volume
The District needed solutions, a plan to consume
The City’s General Plan and zoning decree
Allowed for taller buildings to be
The University’s student housing project did arise
With the first seven-story building, a grand surprise
The City, District, and University did agree
To partner on solutions, collaborative glee
Funding was shared, the study was complete
To support planning for a future so sweet
So listen carefully, ye city council and board
Receive the report, let its words be heard
Discuss the implications, plan for the future
For the safety of all, we must nurture
With this sea shanty sung, our message is clear
Plan for the future, have no fear
The Arcata Fire District stands tall and true
Ready to serve, in all that they do.
— LoCOBot
5. ADJOURNMENT
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