First Responders Report to CV MAC

At its Monday night meeting, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) heard updates from local first responders.

First, California Highway Patrol Officer Jen Pabst gave a brief quarterly update on her department, saying arrests and citations were down slightly overall since she last checked in the MAC in the winter. 

Pabst said a recent highlight was the annual “Every 15 Minutes” program they run at the high school. Just before prom, the CHP and leadership students, along with other community stakeholders, put on a mock-serious car accident at the school to demonstrate the seriousness and consequences of driving recklessly or under the influence.

Speaking of driving while impaired, Pabst reminded the crowd that the CHP will operate at maximum enforcement capacity this weekend for the Memorial Day holiday and will be looking for inebriated drivers and people using their phones while driving.

Pabst also promoted the CHP’s program “Start Smart” for young and “Age Well, Drive Smart” for senior drivers, which offer specialized tips and are offered periodically. Residents can visit CHP.ca.gov for more information and upcoming classes.

Fire Station Update 

The MAC also heard a brief update from the Alameda County Fire Department (ACFD) on the spending from Measure X.  

Measure X is a 2020 $90 million, 30-year general obligation bond for repairing and replacing out-of-date fire stations and equipment. Assessed at 1.6 cents per $100,000 of assessed home value, it costs the average Alameda County homeowner about $142 annually.  

Eric Moore, ACFD Deputy Chief of Communication and Support, presented to the MAC about upgrades to Station 7 and Station 25 in Castro Valley.

Station 7 is proposed to be completely rebuilt adjacent to the current facility on an empty plot of land at 6855 Villarreal Drive. 

The new building will be one story tall and replace the existing facility, which was originally constructed in 1986.

At 2,800 square feet, Moore says it’s small for a facility of its type based on today’s standards.  

The new Paloma’s Hills station, set to be built adjacent to the existing Station 7, will be one story and staffed by three first responders.

Station 25 is older, initially built in 1966 at 20336 San Miguel Avenue. Moore told the MAC that the old station doesn’t meet the ACFD’s needs for accessibility, housing, or a general facility. 

The proposed 10,000-square-foot Station 25 at the exact location would be two-story housing on the top floor and fitness, locker room, and office space on the first floor. Daily staffing will be eight firefighters and EMTs.

Rachel Osajima, Executive Director of Alameda County Arts Commission, A Division of the County of Alameda, spoke briefly about bringing public art to the new stations. There will be an artist selection process with ultimate approval from the Board of Supervisors at a later date. Before that there will be opportunities for public input and involvement, Osajima said.

Construction on both stations is tentatively scheduled on both facilities for Summer 2025.