County Fire Chief: 60 More Firefighters Needed to Meet Growing Wildfire Threats

San Diego County Firefighters say Measure B urgently needed to add firefighters and combat wildfires

 SAN DIEGO, CA— Today, the Yes on Measure B campaign issued the following statement after Tony Mecham, County Fire Chief and Cal Fire Unit Chief, updated the San Diego Board of Supervisors about San Diego County’s Regional Wildfire Preparedness. Chief Mecham stressed that in order to meet the growing fire threat, San Diego County Fire needs to hire 60 new firefighters, add a second nighttime firefighting helicopter, and continue to maintain our 225 fire engine fleet.

“Today’s update from San Diego County Fire shows that our firefighters are among the best in the world. But with the escalating threat of catastrophic wildfires, we need to make sure that they have everything they need to continue to protect us. The news from Chief Mecham that we need 60 more firefighters to fully staff each fire company on top of adding a second nighttime fire helicopter underscores the need here for more resources to get the job done. Yesterday's funding won't cover tomorrow's threats. We cannot take our foot off the gas now. Measure B will ensure we are fully prepared in the future to fight wildfires with more wildland firefighters, brush clearing, fire engines, and helicopters.” 

During his presentation to the Board of Supervisors, Mecham reported that only two of the county’s 22 fire companies are staffed with the industry standard of 4 firefighters on a first-arriving engine. Anything less than 4 firefighters can prohibit whether a firefighter can enter a burning building.  

Measure B is a citizen-led initiative on the November 2026 ballot designed to protect local healthcare coverage, public health programs, 911 emergency response, and public safety in San Diego County. Measure B is endorsed by community advocates and labor including the American Academy of Pediatrics-San Diego Chapter, San Diego County Hospital Association, San Diego County Firefighters CAL FIRE Local 2881, and First 5 San Diego.

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