Marina Fire Department’s open house offers an insight into its services—and the challenges in providing them.

Celia Jiménez here, thinking about firefighters and realizing most of the ones I knew growing up were from TV screens. I don’t even think there is a fire department in the agricultural town I grew up in. 

For many kids and adults in the region, that isn’t the case. Meeting firefighters, getting on a fire engine or stepping inside a fire station is part of the fun activities regularly available to them. 

On Tuesday, Oct. 8 during Fire Prevention Week, the Marina Fire Department hosts its annual open house. It’s a family event, says Fire Chief Doug McCoun. 

“It’s an opportunity for community members to come out and talk, interact with our firefighters,” he says.

The event includes different activities, such as games, crafts and engine tours. People can also learn about fire safety and how to spray water from a fire hose. 

The open house will also have a table with information about Measure U, a $50 million bond to upgrade facilities in the city, including a new fire station. “We're always available to answer questions,” McCoun says, noting many people have questions about this measure. 

With Marina experiencing exponential growth in its southern end (such as the Sea Haven and Dunes housing developments), its current fire station is unable to provide equal service throughout the city due to the distance.

At one point, there was a plan to develop a joint fire station with Seaside, but it never came to fruition.

McCoun compared the city’s fire department to the hub of a wagon wheel—it should be in or close to the middle. It also has to be big enough to house its fire engines. (Marina has a used ladder truck and it will receive a new one in May, but it doesn’t fit in the current facilities).

The proposed new fire station would be on California Street, primarily serving the Dunes, Sea Haven and Central Marina, as well as outside of city limits. 

The city is planning for higher-density areas, meaning more multistory buildings. 

“We need a truck to provide essential fire department services,” McCoun says, adding that more engines in the fleet allows the department to distribute calls more equally, cutting down response times. “It really benefits the whole community to put these fire engines where they need to be.”

I’ve learned a lot about how fire departments work since I moved to Monterey County. Three things I won’t forget: response times matter. Most calls consist of medical emergencies, and fire stations frequently work together in emergencies.

If you want to spend part of your day with Marina firefighters—and learn more about the potential for Measure U—the open house is from 4-7pm at 208 Palm Ave.

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