Felton Fire Loses Chief, Service Contract with Ben Lomond
Some Felton firefighters have said the agency is not prepared to respond to 911 calls without Ben Lomond Fire’s support. (Photo Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local)
By Jesse Kathan, Santa Cruz Local
This story was originally published by Santa Cruz Local. Sign up for their weekly newsletters.
Felton Fire Board of Directors meetings
- 6 p.m. Monday, May 19 and 6 p.m. Monday, May 26 at Felton Fire Protection District training room, 131 Kirby St., Felton.
- Agendas are expected on the Felton Fire website.
FELTON >> Ben Lomond Fire directors on Friday canceled a two-year contract to provide Felton Fire a chief, help respond to calls and train new volunteer firefighters.
The changes come after Ben Lomond Fire Chief Stacie Brownlee alleged a hostile work environment with Felton Fire’s governing board. Members of the Felton board have denied wrongdoing.
Brownlee has served as chief of Felton Fire since November. Felton Fire has had four fire chiefs since 2023 and has struggled with money and staffing. Its leaders are now considering options to improve its emergency response.
“I feel, just, frustrated that we’re here again,” said Felton firefighter Jamie Berlanga at a Monday meeting of the Felton Fire directors. Without Ben Lomond’s assistance, Felton Fire’s emergency response “is on thin ice” with no fire captains, four or fewer firefighters trained as EMTs, two fire engine drivers and one driver trained to pump water, he said.
Jesse Kathan
Jesse Kathan is a staff reporter for Santa Cruz Local through the California Local News Fellowship. They hold a master’s degree in science communications from UC Santa Cruz.
