Ophir Hill Fire Protection District*

The district believes this has been adequately addressed with the Board of Directors unanimous vote to seek a merger with Nevada County Consolidated Fire District, Penn Valley Fire Protection District, and Rough and Ready Fire Protection District. This merger will enhance qualified staffing as well as make the new district a destination to work. Ophir Hill will no longer just be a training ground or stepping stone for new employees.

The shift schedule of the Fire Captain in question has been adjusted. He currently is working a four on two off, four on, two off, two on then 18 days off. We feel that at this time this is the best option to keep optimal staffing during this upcoming fire season. With limited qualified Company Officer staffing we have few options. Once the merger is in place and we are one fire district it is our understanding that this Fire Captain will have to return to a normal two on, four off schedule.

It is true the district lacks the funding to adequately staff the station with two personnel twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. The Board of Directors has worked diligently to provide the best staffing within our financial constraints. Thus, a new Fire Suppression Assessment, contract with Grass Valley City Fire Department, and merging with Nevada County Consolidated, Penn Valley, and Rough and Ready were all researched and discussed at length. The Board felt that merging was the most feasible and most importantly would provide the best level of service in the near future to the residents of the fire district.

As mentioned above. The Board explored this option and felt that the time, money, and effort in today's economic climate may be an uphill and potentially losing battle. After many discussions it was determined merging was the best option for the district.

As was in The Grand Jury Report the Board of Directors agrees. Merging with other fire districts is the most realistic option. The Board of Directors voted unanimously at their meeting on May 13,2024 to enter into talks with mergers with Nevada County Consolidated, Penn Valley, and Rough and Ready Fire districts. We are currently moving forward with this with the three agencies mentioned above.