Placer County Cities Join Firefighting Forces

PLACER COUNTY (CBS13) — This year's fire season has seen no shortage of wildfires destroying green spaces and communities across California.

Two growing cities in Placer County will now share one larger fire department.

When a large fire breaks out in one city, like an apartment complex inferno in Lincoln a few days ago, it's not uncommon for fire crews in nearby areas to lend a hand.

But the cities of Lincoln and Rocklin are going a step further. Starting this month, the Placer County communities are combining their administrative fire services. They'll oversee general operations, fire training and prevention and personnel management.

One fire chief, Kurt Snyder, will oversee both departments.

"I'm sure it's going to have some challenges but I have some really good staff members underneath me," he said.

It's a challenge he says makes sense to tackle.

"The city of Rocklin had a lack of mid-level management positions, the city of Lincoln was lacking Battalion coverage on a 24 hour-basis, and so combining the two organizations--we were able to fulfill the needs of both cities," he said.

Residents of both cities likely won't notice a thing.

"Lincoln fire engines are still going to show up to Lincoln 911 calls--Rocklin fire engines are still going to show up to Rocklin 911 calls--this agreement covers us at an administrative level," he said.

Lincoln will be paying $233,000 a year instead of $455,000 to hire a chief and a battalion chief.

The agreement is just for one year, but can be extended after the initial contract expires.