I am writing to address troubling misinformation recently shared by Gilroy City Council member Zach Hilton regarding the status of South County Fire Engine 69 and the future of our city’s fire services.
Councilmember Hilton has claimed that Engine 69 has been shut down for the day—an assertion that is categorically false. Engine 69 has never been fully shut down.
On rare occasions over the last five years, staffing has been reduced temporarily due to unforeseen emergency circumstances, such as employee illness.
These instances have been infrequent and responsibly managed without compromising public safety.
Council member Hilton is openly making false statements in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of Cal Fire in the eyes of the Gilroy public.
It is deeply concerning to see a city leader spread misinformation that appears aimed at pushing a personal agenda.
Council member Hilton’s advocacy for consolidation with the Central Fire Protection District is not only fiscally irresponsible but also raises serious questions about whose interests he is truly serving.
The costs associated with Central Fire’s personnel and operations far exceed what the City of Gilroy can reasonably afford, and there is no measurable increase in service quality to justify the expenditure.
In contrast, contracting with Cal Fire offers a financially sound alternative.
Cal Fire provides the same high level of service—at nearly half the cost.
This route would preserve the local character and culture of the Gilroy Fire Department, down to the red fire engines our community recognizes and values; and it would spare our city the public safety financial problems we have come to know all too well.
Additionally, Cal Fire offers attractive benefits to our current firefighters that surpass those available through Central Fire, including an improved pension tier and spousal medical coverage in retirement.
Transitioning to a fire services contract with Cal Fire would also shift the long-term public pension burden from our city to the state—a move that would strengthen Gilroy’s financial outlook for generations to come.
Council member Hilton’s continued push for consolidation with Central Fire—despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary—demands scrutiny. His actions suggest a priority to benefit a select group of individuals, namely his Gilroy IAFF (International Associations of Firefighter) associates, rather than the broader community he was elected to serve.
Gilroy deserves leaders who make decisions based on facts, fiscal responsibility and the best interests of the city—not political favors.
Joan Lewis
South Santa Clara County Fire Commissioner and Gilroy resident
The City of Gilroy has been impacted by the operational decisions over the years by SCFD. Treehaven Fire Station E69 at Gilroy Gardens through the drop borders agreement, provides 1st due responses to areas within the City of Gilroy like Eagle Ridge and Heartland neighborhoods. For years I have been briefed often from City of Gilroy Fire Admin, City Admin, and residents regarding the status of when E69 is in service, out of service, staffed 2 vs 3 personnel, and ALS vs BLS. For instance I have been told that several days this week E69 has been staffed with 2 and I was briefed when E69 was out of service at Treehaven and covering the Pacheco Station on February 9, 2025. I know that in December 2023 our Gilroy Fire Division Chief Gerry Laird told Fire Operations that CalFire Treehaven crew started notifying Gilroy Communication when they are out of their first due area. The goal was to increase communications and to reduce a request for auto-aid by us only to find out that Treehaven was not available which results in an increased response time.
City Admin reported out already that this will impact Gilroy and that they met with the County Fire Chief on April 11. He mentioned that one improvement will be that Gilroy will have a County Fire unit at Treehaven Station 365 days a year 24/7. That is a commitment County Fire made and service improvement that will impact Gilroy in a good way. We have already begun negotiations with County Fire on boundary drop, mutual aid, and automatic aid agreements.
I had a personal experience while at Fortino Winery several years ago where I was at my nephews benefit and an adult female collapsed, everyone was stating that there’s a fire engine at Gilroy Gardens, but when I contacted our dispatch to report the incident while caring for the patient, our dispatcher told me that E69 was out of service and Gilroy’s E48 responded. That’s when I started asking for the frequent briefings.
The SCFD Commissioners know of these impacts to South County.