Concerns over structural safety have led the city of Encinitas to move downtown Fire Station 1 crews to another location.
The city announced the decision on Tuesday, Oct. 8, after a building inspection found several issues that could compromise safety. Crews will now be located at Fire Station 3 in Leucadia.
Station 1, located at 415 Second St., opened in 1957, 12 years after the formation of the Encinitas Fire Protection District and decades before Encinitas incorporated as a city. Station 3, which opened in 2009, is located about 2 miles north at 801 Orpheus Ave.
“The Fire Department wants to assure the public that this move will not affect our ability to respond to emergencies promptly,” Encinitas Fire Chief Joshua Gordon said in the city’s announcement.
Station 1’s equipment has also been moved to Station 3, according to the city.
“The safety of our firefighters is paramount,” City Manager Pamela Antil said in the announcement. “After discussing the building inspection of Fire Station 1, we are taking swift action to ensure our team is not put at unnecessary risk.”
The city will now assess the extent of repairs and determine what to do with the station, the city stated.
The City Council had noted Station 1 for upgrading more than a decade ago, according to Mayor Tony Kranz.
“Prior to my service on the City Council, Fire Station 1 was identified as a facility in need of rehabilitation,” Kranz said in the city’s Oct. 8 announcement. “The findings of this recent building inspection underscore the urgency for the City to address concerns about seismic safety issues with the building and move forward with the essential improvements to ensure firefighter safety.”
Kranz was first elected to the City Council in 2012.
“Our top priority is maintaining the highest level of service to our community while ensuring the safety of our personnel,” he said of the need for the temporary relocation.
City officials said that station status updates will be provided as they are available.
“In the meantime, fire service coverage in the area will continue through a coordinated effort with other nearby fire stations,” the city stated in its announcement.
Several of Encinitas’ fire stations are newer or have been updated. In 2013, the city opened a new Fire Station 2 in Cardiff near its original location, which was built in 1960. Fire Station 5 on Balour Drive also opened within the past decade.
Two neighboring cities have opened new fire stations to replace outdated facilities since 2022.
Oceanside opened its new $18 million Fire Station 1 this summer after several years of funding efforts and construction. It replaced the historic 1929 station, which is in need of seismic retrofitting and will be repurposed as a community facility, according to the city.
Carlsbad opened its new Station 2 in La Costa in October 2022, replacing a station that was built in 1969.
