Arcata Fire District Reviews Critical Report on Community Risk and Financial Feasibility

The Arcata Fire Protection District (AFPD) and the Arcata City Council convened a special joint meeting on September 10, 2025, to discuss a pivotal report from AP Triton, a consulting firm. The report, a comprehensive Community Risk Assessment and Standards of Cover Deployment Analysis, including a financial feasibility study, provided a data-driven evaluation of the AFPD's capabilities and the risks facing the community.

The approximately 58-minute virtual meeting saw four of five council members in attendance. The meeting primarily focused on the AP Triton report's findings, which included an analysis of hazards, vulnerabilities, and the AFPD's response capabilities. The assessment compared the district's performance to recognized standards and best practices, analyzing historical and projected service demands. A financial feasibility analysis was also included, examining historical trends, the district's current fiscal situation, and future projections.

Public comment highlighted concerns about the report's accuracy. One commenter questioned the data regarding student residents in new dormitories and the report's overall accuracy, suggesting a 90-day revision period. Another expressed concern about the lack of preparedness for incidents in the new student housing and the financial implications of the report's recommendations.

The presentation included visual data on incident counts, volume by month, and the district's ISO fire suppression rating. The AFPD's organizational structure, staffing, apparatus, dispatch services, EMS provision, and critical tasking scenarios were also discussed. The presenters acknowledged potential data gaps, particularly concerning the university's impact and the need for more granular EMS call data.

While the meeting provided a thorough review of the AP Triton report, no formal decisions or votes were taken. The AFPD will continue to review the report's findings. A follow-up meeting has not yet been scheduled.

This report raises important questions about the AFPD's preparedness for future challenges and the accuracy of the data used in the assessment. The community will be watching closely as the AFPD moves forward with its review and plans for addressing the report's findings.