Special Districts and the Fire District

By Gerry B. Andeen

Our special districts form of local government has advantages, disadvantages, and opportunities.

The strength of the special district system is the focus on the objective of the district. The corresponding drawback is that each special district is its own fiefdom rather than a part of a system; the overall public benefit is not insured.

The Menlo Park Fire Protection District is rather interesting in that it is larger than the local cities involved. The District encompasses three important midpeninsula municipalities, Menlo Park, Atherton, and East Palo Alto, plus unincorporated areas. The District is in a position to provide uniformity and cohesiveness to a community that might otherwise be pulling in multiple directions, communities that would otherwise have limited interest in joining together. This breadth of coverage can be both a burden and an opportunity for the Fire District.

I choose to emphasize the opportunity. It is an opportunity to spot deficiencies within the communities and, on the other hand, to avoid duplication of services. It is an opportunity to rationalize the activities of the various bodies with similar functions and thereby save money. It is an opportunity to arrive at uniform building safety codes and public safety standards. It is an opportunity to cooperate.

We must never forget that the function of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District is to provide the highest level of emergency response. This means the best trained team with the appropriate equipment. Still, the opportunity is greater.