FIRE DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA
FDAC REPORT
2025 BOARD OF DIRE CTOR S
Don Butz, President
Geoff Belyea, 1st Vice President
Kyle Heggstrom, 2nd Vice President
Tim Henry, Treasurer
FDAC STAFF
Catherine Smith, Executive Director
Carmen Berry, Deputy Executive Director
Melissa Feltz, Coordinator
Anton Cervantes , Assistant
Brett Moore, Legislative Assistant
Sam Brown, Graphic Designer
PHOTOGR A PHY
Pexels, Pixabay, Shutterstock and Unsplash
The purpose of this Association shall be: 1) to present a united position on fire protection issues; 2) to coordinate with other associations with similar views on fire protection, including legislation; 3) to provide advisory services and any other services deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors that may benefit member agencies; 4) to keep member agencies informed on laws relating to fire suppression, emergency medical and other related services provided by member agencies; 5) to take an active role in the legislative process affecting public agencies providing fire suppression, emergency medical and related services.
Thank you to all the authors in this issue for sharing with you their time and expertise. If you have an idea for a future article, please contact Carmen Berry at the FDAC office at cberry @fdac.org.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FDAC.
For more information on FDAC or this magazine, please contact the FDAC office at 916.231.2137 or visit the website at www.fdac.org
Fire Agencies Insurance Risk Authority
Susan Blankenburg, General Manager
1255 Battery Street, Suite 450 San Francisco, ca 94111
Office 415.536.4005 Toll Free 855.350-7617
Lowest Stable Premiums Available
Exclusively Fire & Emergency Service Agencies
Broadest Insurance Coverage Available
Risk Management Assistance
In 1987, one of the largest insurers of California Fire Districts informed the fire industry that they would not be renewing their insurance. FAIRA's first year of operation resulted in an immediate premium reduction of 30%, and that was just the start! Since then we’ve continued to see favorable outcomes for our members including a combined additional savings of over 10% in the past 7 years alone. Not only did we create a solution that guaranteed continuous coverage and reduced premiums, FAIRA is the largest and only multi-state Fire District pool in the United States and has saved millions of dollars.
Our members pay less in premium than they did in 1988 for exposures that have quadrupled. We provide our members with risk management and loss control services including contract review, live & online training and we provide insurance rates that lead the marketplace when it comes to coverage terms and pricing for Property, Vehicle & Liability coverage for Fire Districts and Emergency Service Agencies.
www.faira.org
Check out the new Fire Risk Management Services (FRMS) website at www.frmsrisk.org! The website is a great source of information related to FRMS, including available services, scheduled events, contact information, agendas and minutes, and more. The materials in the Member Portal require a login. A welcome email with log in information will be distributed to the contacts we have on file for each member districts.
Please contact Monica Quintana at monica.quintana@sedgwick.com for questions or comments about the FRMS website.
Don Butz
Fire Chief
San Diego County Lakeside Fire Protection District, President FDAC
Building on Success: A New Chapter for FDAC
As we turn the page to a new chapter in the Fire Districts Association of California (FDAC), we first pause to honor the incredible strides made under President Chief Eric Walder’s leadership.
During Chief Walder’s term, FDAC demonstrated remarkable resilience and vision. From responding to historic wildfires, including the Eaton and Palisades Incidents, to championing major legislative efforts, the organization’s strength has never been more evident. Notable accomplishments include:
• Strengthening partnerships with key associations like Cal Chiefs and California Professional Firefighters (CPF).
• Advancing the pivotal FDAC Funding White Paper toward legislative action.
• Elevating professional development by combining the Annual Conference and Leadership Symposium into one flagship event.
• Maintaining a unified voice advocating for sustainable funding, governance excellence, and emergency response readiness.
As Chief Walder transitions into the role of Past President, FDAC remains poised for even greater impact. With a strong foundation laid, our focus for the next term will be:
• Driving funding reform across California’s fire districts.
• Growing leadership development opportunities for today’s and tomorrow’s fire service leaders.
• Deepening collaboration with our public policy partners to strengthen California’s emergency response system.
• Preparing Fire Districts for the evolving demands of climate, infrastructure, and community risk.
Our collective mission remains steadfast: to advocate, educate, and lead for the betterment of California’s communities. The momentum we’ve built will carry us forward—stronger, bolder, and more unified than ever before.
We invite all member districts and partners to continue shaping FDAC’s future with us. Join us next April at the 2026 Annual Conference & Leadership Symposium as we continue this exciting phase of our journey together.
Thank you for being part of FDAC’s proud past—and even brighter future.
Don Butz
Fire Chief, San Diego County, Lakeside Fire Protection District President FDAC
Geoff Belyea Fire Chief
American Canyon Fire Protection District
You may recall Chief Helmick’s article in the February 2024 FDAC newsletter, when he discussed the funding shortfalls facing Fire Districts. He further went on to discuss how FDAC was developing a “white paper” to be used to help advocate and educate our state officials on the Fire District funding crisis. Developing this paper was no small feat and with the assistance of several of your FDAC Board members, the “white paper” was finalized and became the Fighting Fire with Funding paper. Fighting Fire with Funding illustrates the funding crisis facing Fire Districts caused by decades of state level decisions that have led us to where we are today. FDAC’s ask is for sustainable long-term funding, not one time funding for equipment or other capital improvements. We feel if we were adequately funded, Fire Districts could recruit, hire and train over 600 additional Firefighters statewide and thus strengthen our Statewide Mutual Aid System.
Fighting Fire with Funding has been endorsed by California Special Districts Association (CSDA), California Volunteer and Combination Fire Chiefs’ Association, League of California Cities-Fire Chiefs Department and California Fire Chiefs Association (CFCA). Julee Malinowski-Ball and her team at PPA distributed Fighting with Funding to members of the Assembly, Senate and the Governor’s Office in February.
The FDAC Board formed a core group of Fire District leaders to meet with staff from the State Senate, Assembly and the Governor’s Office. As of this writing, Past President Walder, Chief Pearce and myself along with Julee have met with staff from Assembly Member Rivas (Speaker of the Assembly), members of the Governor’s Cabinet and staff from Senator McGuire (Senate President Pro Tem). So far, these have been mostly listening sessions by the staffers, we are encouraged that there will be further discussions to dig into the “meat and potatoes” of our ask.
FIGHTING FIRE WITH FUNDING
While we will continue our advocacy efforts in Sacramento, we need your help as well with grassroots advocacy. You can help us by discussing Fighting Fire with Funding with your Board of Directors, local and state elected officials, I think we would all agree that funding challenges have plagued Fire Districts for decades and we need adequate funding to continue providing services to our communities. Our team at Smith Moore and Associates has developed a “grassroots toolkit” that is available on the FDAC website at www.fdac.org
In closing, I would like to thank Chief Helmick, Past President Walder, President Butz and Chief Pearce for all their work on the Fighting Fire with Funding paper.
The Urgent Need for Adequate Fire Service Resources in California
As the 2025 legislative season surges ahead, the Capitol has been buzzing with activity—from a record number of bills hitting committee dockets to a rapidly evolving state budget picture. Despite the challenging budget environment, the 2025 Legislative Session has already delivered a few early wins for California’s fire service and reinforced the state’s wildfire priorities. Still, much of the process remains ahead, and several key measures face fiscal hurdles or second House action before becoming law. Governor Newsom’s 2025-26 May Revision acknowledged a projected $12 billion deficit, yet the Administration remained committed to core wildfire prevention strategies. One of the most significant changes in the Budget is the realignment of CAL FIRE’s operational funding—a $1.54 billion shift from the General Fund to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), creating insulation from broader cuts while maintaining vital suppression and mitigation programs. A General Fund backstop was also included to ensure continuity in the event of auction shortfalls.
Additional key investments include $1.6 billion in continued wildfire resilience funding since 2022, $8.5 million for property tax backfill in fire-impacted school districts, and $31.5 million to reconfigure training infrastructure through long-term leases. Ground emergency medical transportation (GEMT) also secured a $1.6 billion boost from Proposition 35 funds—an indirect but
meaningful support to fire agencies providing EMS services.
While CAL FIRE’s share of funding remains strong, the needs of local fire districts remain largely unaddressed. That is why FDAC developed and released the Fighting Fire with Funding white paper earlier this year—a comprehensive look at the structural underfunding of local fire agencies, including the lack of access to revenue growth tools and the escalating demands placed on emergency response. The paper has been distributed to the Governor, legislative leadership, and members of the Legislature. Though initial conversations have been productive, FDAC continues to raise awareness among policymakers about the serious funding gap facing local fire districts. While recent investments in CAL FIRE demonstrate the state’s strong commitment to wildfire preparedness, they also highlight the need to ensure local agencies—who serve as the first line of defense—have the resources and support to keep pace with growing demands. FDAC remains committed to advancing these priorities and making the case for equitable, sustainable funding for all fire service providers.
This Session has so far produced several promising legislative advancements for fire service priorities, many of which have cleared their first policy committees and now face votes in the second House, though it is important to note that several of these bills have fiscal impacts that could delay
Audra Hartmann Public Policy Advocates, LLC
Julee Malinowski Ball Public Policy Advocates, LLC
Obed Franco Public Policy Advocates, LLC
addition underscores California’s investment in fastresponse wildfire suppression. Governor Newsom and CAL FIRE leadership celebrated the milestone as part of the state’s broader resilience strategy.
With the May Revision now released and suspense file decisions imminent, the Legislature is entering a pivotal stretch. These next few weeks will determine which bills advance and how much room remains in the Budget for critical investments. As always, PPA is actively engaging in coordination with FDAC and CalChiefs to ensure fire service priorities stay front and center in both policy and funding conversations.
Tubbs Fire Chief Zone 1 Director
LAFCo
and the Fire
Service: Your Strategic Ally for the Future
When most firefighters and fire chiefs think about Local Agency Formation Commissions—or LAFCo—it usually isn’t with much excitement. But if you care about protecting your agency’s future, securing your EMS rights, and expanding your service capabilities, it’s time to rethink the relationship.
LAFCo is not just another regulatory body standing in the way of progress. It is one of the most powerful tools we have in California for building stronger, more resilient fire and EMS services—and those who understand how to work with LAFCo will be better positioned to lead their agencies into the future.
What LAFCo Does and Why It Matters
Established by the State Legislature in 1963, LAFCo’s mission is simple on paper: to promote the orderly formation and development of local government agencies. But for fire service leaders, that mission translates into real authority over the fate of consolidations, annexations, new service formations, and boundary changes that can make or break your department.
LAFCo oversees incorporations, dissolutions, and changes to service areas. They regulate and update the Sphere of Influence (SOI) boundaries that define your agency’s potential growth areas. They are also responsible for Municipal Service Reviews (MSRs), deep evaluations of how well public agencies—including fire districts— are delivering services today and what challenges loom on the horizon.
Their decisions directly impact whether your agency expands, contracts, merges, or maintains autonomy. In short: you ignore LAFCo at your peril.
LAFCo’s Power Over EMS 201 Rights
Many fire agencies in California provide Emergency Medical Services under what’s known as “201 rights,” a designation under Section 1797.201 of the Health and Safety Code that preserves local EMS delivery authority pre-dating 1980. But here’s the catch: when you pursue a boundary change, a consolidation, or even a governance tweak, you risk accidentally invalidating those 201 rights if you’re not careful.
LAFCo proceedings have the power to either affirm and protect your EMS rights— or compromise them if they’re not handled correctly. That’s why it’s critical to engage with LAFCo staff early and ensure that any resolution language or findings reinforce the preservation of 201 status wherever applicable. It’s not just about changing a line on a map—it’s about safeguarding your agency’s ability to serve your community.
Relationships Matter: Make Friends Before You Need Them
One of the biggest mistakes agencies make is only showing up when they need something from LAFCo. If you want support when it counts, you need to build a relationship before the pressure is on.
Spend time educating your LAFCo Executive Officer and commissioners about your agency’s operations, funding model, wildfire risks, mutual aid partnerships, and long-term service goals. Help them understand the realworld consequences of their decisions.
When the time comes for your next annexation, consolidation, or Sphere of Influence update, you’ll be glad you did. A well-informed commission is far more likely to champion your efforts when they understand your mission and trust your leadership.
Christian
Don’t Sleep on MSRs and SOIs
Every agency eventually faces a Municipal Service Review (MSR)—and if you treat it like a bureaucratic paperwork exercise, you’re missing a major opportunity.
An MSR is your chance to showcase strengths, operational readiness, and value to the community. It’s also a forum for identifying opportunities: maybe your district could expand to serve adjacent unprotected areas, or maybe regional collaboration could unlock more efficient services.
Similarly, your Sphere of Influence (SOI) defines your agency’s logical future boundary. A strong, well-documented SOI is critical if you want to grow sustainably and avoid being boxed in by political boundaries. A narrow or outdated SOI can cripple your ability to meet future demands.
The Bottom Line
California’s fire service is facing unprecedented challenges—worsening wildfire seasons, escalating EMS demand, labor shortages, and fiscal uncertainty. Now more than ever, we need smart, flexible structures that support strong public safety delivery.
LAFCo is not a hurdle—it’s a gateway. Agencies that treat LAFCo like a partner, not an obstacle, will find themselves better positioned to protect their missions, advocate for smart growth, and serve their communities with excellence.
So don’t wait until a crisis forces you to pick up the phone. Start building those relationships now. Get your MSR materials ready. Review your Sphere of Influence. Make sure your leadership team understands how powerful LAFCo decisions are—and how to navigate them.
In today’s fire service, working strategically with LAFCo isn’t optional. It’s essential.
SPECIAL THANKS
Thank you to all our sponsors and exhibitors that participated at FDAC 2025 Annual Conference + Leadership Symposium in Napa, CA. Your partnerships and support of FDAC is vital to the program and its success!
5TH ALARM SPONSORS
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2ND ALARM SPONSORS
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LIEUTENANT ANNUAL SPONSORS
EXHIBITORS
Advance Traffic Products, Inc., BK Technologies, CalChiefs, FAIRA, FRMS, Lexipol, Republic EVS LLC, California State Firefighters’ Association, CalTRUST, IP Access International, Fire Facilities, Bauer Compressors, AVIVE Solutions, AFTECH Clearpath, Burton’s Fire
Mark your calendars for the 2026 FDAC Annual Conference, happening April 20–24, 2026 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay Seaside. Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and engage with fire district leadership, board members, and industry professionals from across California. More details to come, stay tuned!
Dear FDAC Member:
We’re grateful for your partnership and the vital role you play in strengthening fire protection across California. We hope you maintain your FDAC membership for the 2025-2026 membership year as we continue to grow and better serve the fire protection districts throughout California.
Thanks to your continued support, FDAC, alongside our partners at Cal Chiefs and FIRESCOPE, is actively advocating for collaborative, sustainable funding solutions that go beyond equipment needs and focus on long-overdue systemic financial reform. Your commitment as a member empowers us to urge policymakers to engage directly with fire service professionals and trusted associations in shaping long-term strategies. Together, we are working to ensure that California’s fire protection districts have the resources they need to meet today’s demands and safeguard communities well into the future.
We were proud to kick off the 2025 membership year with a successful event in Napa, CA, from April 1–5, 2025. For the first time, FDAC combined its Annual Conference and Leadership Symposium into a single, unified experience. This milestone event brought together fire service leaders, emerging professionals, and stakeholders from across the state for a week of education and collaboration. The strong turnout and enthusiastic participation reaffirmed the value of connecting leadership development with broader industry priorities.
Your support makes our work possible and more impactful every year.
If you have any questions or need help in renewing your membership, please contact Anton Cervantes at staff@fdac.org or (916) 231-2941.
Would you like to see your Fire Districts photo in FDAC publications and marketing material? We are looking to share the face of California local government fire. If you have photos that you would like FDAC to consider, please upload them to the dropbox link below.
*FDAC reserves the right to choose photos as it seems fit, there is no guarantee that photos will be selected for use. This continuity has created a culture of community. As the community and State continue to change LFPD, as well as all special districts, we are all experiencing challenges in funding, growth, and providing the highest level of service possible.
