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Reorganizing Backcountry Fire Protection

San Diego Supervisors will vote today on a 15 million dollar proposal to consolidate the region’s independent fire agencies in unincorporated areas. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

San Diego Supervisors will vote today on a 15 million dollar proposal to consolidate the region’s independent fire agencies in unincorporated areas. KPBS reporter Alison St John has more.

San Diego is the last large California County without a consolidated Fire Department.

County Supervisors voted in the 1970s not to provide coordinated fire services. Since then a patchwork of more than 30 separate agencies, many of them voluntary,  has protected the backcountry.

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Supervisor Dianne Jacob says the board will consider a plan that takes the first step towards consolidation .

Jacob: This is historic. It’s a really big deal. It will bring together in one entity one point five million acres and over 50 fire stations to improve fire and emergency medical services in our back country, which will increase the preparedness of the entire region in San Diego County

  It’s important because wildfires usually start in the backcountry and blow towards the urban areas.

The Board of Supervisors has been split over whether to focus resources on more fire fighting equipment or a better organized force.

Alison St John, KPBS news.