The Higgins Fire District will be a little safer this year as one station that has been closed will be reopened full time. According to CALFIRE Spokesperson Lynne Tolmachoff, the district received a SAFER grant which stands for (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response). The grant is funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Click here to listen to Information Officer Lynne Tolmachoff

With the additional staff at Station 23 a full time engine and six firefighters will allow for quicker response time for fires and other emergencies. Station 23 is located just north of the where McCourtney Road and Lime Kiln Road come together. There is a celebration at the station Friday morning.
Click here to listen to Information Officer Lynne Tolmachoff

The total grant is for 966,000 dollars which will allow for the station to be open for two years. After that the district must find the funds to maintain the staffing or once again shut it down. Several Ballot Initiatives attempting to increase the current 25 dollars per year parcel fee have failed.

The Station 23 Open House is this Friday from 9:00 AM to Noon.