A new set of fire hazard maps released by the state paints a concerning picture for many Bay Area cities. Some communities have seen striking increases in their fire risk, with more homes now classified as being in high or very high fire hazard severity zones. But not El Cerrito.
According to the updated data, El Cerrito’s fire risk has actually been reduced, bucking the trend seen across much of the region. This should be good news for residents, signaling that prior mitigation efforts—such as vegetation management, defensible space regulations, and local fire safety initiatives—may have had an impact.
Why More Firefighters with Less Risk?
Public safety is always a priority, and fire departments play a crucial role beyond just wildfires. However, in a city with well-documented financial struggles, every staffing request deserves scrutiny—especially when it involves high-cost safety positions that will significantly impact long-term pension obligations.
Safety employees in California receive some of the most generous retirement benefits in the public sector, often retiring earlier with larger pensions than non-safety employees. This means that every additional fire department hire is not just a short-term budget concern—it’s a long-term financial liability that El Cerrito taxpayers will be funding for decades.
Follow the Money
Given that El Cerrito’s fire risk is lower than before, residents should be asking:
• If the risk has decreased, what is the justification for hiring more firefighters?
• Is this request based on actual service needs, or is it about securing more funding?
• How does this impact the city’s already fragile budget?
• What are the long-term pension liabilities associated with these new positions?
El Cerrito’s Troubled Fiscal History
El Cerrito has a history of poor financial management and repeatedly turning to tax increases rather than implementing meaningful budgetary discipline. Now, with fire risk going down while high-cost staffing requests go up, it’s fair to ask:
Is this really about public safety, or is it another financial burden being placed on residents under the guise of necessity?
Residents should demand clear answers before the city makes another budget decision that could lock in long-term financial obligations without clear justification. With public safety being an emotional issue, it’s easy for officials to justify increased spending—but without transparency and fiscal responsibility, the city could be setting itself up for even more financial trouble down the road.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 