City News

Town Hall Meetings Regarding Sebastopol Fire Department Reorganization 

March 27, 2025, City News

The City of Sebastopol and Gold Ridge Fire Protection District are hosting an important Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, April 2, at 5:30 PM at the Sebastopol Community Cultural Center (390 Morris St) regarding the future of our fire and 911 emergency medical services.

After many years of discussion and careful analysis, our city has taken steps to enhance fire protection and emergency medical response through a proposed reorganization with Gold Ridge Fire Protection District. Sebastopol’s current volunteer-driven staffing model has been stretched by rising service demands and fiscal constraints. The proposed reorganization offers a more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective emergency response model for our community. More information can be found on the City’s website here: CityofSebastopol.gov/SebFireReorg

The April 2nd Town Hall will include representatives from Gold Ridge and the City to elaborate on the decision making behind the reorganization and potential benefits, including:

• A fully staffed department with three career firefighters on duty 24/7 at the Sebastopol station
• Faster response times and improved emergency coverage
• More firefighters, trucks, and equipment to respond to emergencies
• Needed upgrades to our 50-year-old fire station
• Better planning resources for wildfires and other natural disasters

These improved services would be funded by extending Gold Ridge’s existing parcel taxes to properties in Sebastopol, totaling approximately $265 per year for a typical single-family home.

The Sonoma County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved the reorganization on March 5, 2025. Residents now have until May 7, 2025 to file protests with LAFCO, if desired. If less than 25% of voters or property owners file protests, the reorganization will take effect no later than July 1, 2025.

Please join us to learn more about this important change and have your questions answered. If you cannot attend this meeting, a second online town hall via Zoom will be held on April 23 at 5:30 PM.

Your safety remains our highest priority, and we look forward to discussing how this reorganization will create a stronger and safer community.

Questions about the fire services reorganization may be submitted to sebastopolandgoldridgefire@cityofsebastopol.gov. 

For more information, please visit: CityofSebastopol.gov/SebFireReorg