Temecula Roripaugh Ranch Fire Station Remains Unopened For 3 Years Due to Economic Troubles

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An economic downturn in the United States has affected many communities and fire departments. One example of this can be found in the Southern California city of Temecula, where a brand new fire station has sat unopened for approximately three years. The Cal Fire and Temecula Fire Department's Roripaugh Ranch Fire Station #95 was built during the housing boom in Southern California, but was never opened because the 805-acre housing development that it was intended to serve was never built.

In December of 2002, the City of Temecula approved the development of the Roripaugh Ranch housing tract by Ashby USA, LLC. Ashby was to construct 2,015 homes and build the entire infrastructure associated with it, including a fire station. In accordance with Temecula's laws this infrastructure was to be built before the city would issue the construction permits for the houses. Paid for with county and developer funds, the station was built at a cost of $4.7 million, and was expected to be in service by July of 2007. However, Ashby USA was hit by financial and legal troubles, and they were not able to finish the required infrastructure and develop the homes. Now the Temecula Fire Department's Roripaugh Ranch Fire Station sits empty, without utilities and paved roads. The land around it is barren of homes, with concrete pads telling the story of the housing development that was once to be.

According to Division Chief Glenn Patterson of the Cal Fire/Temecula Fire Department, the fact that the station is unopened does not cause a lack of service to the citizens of Temecula, which has five other fire stations throughout the city. Of the situation, Patterson says, "We never want to have a facility that sits unused, obviously. You know, it's here for a reason. One of the things that is working in our favor, even though it is a sad situation, is that the development hasn't occurred…so our need for the fire station out here has not developed either. So while we have this facility built, the fact that we can't put people in it is not creating a lack of service to the citizens right now." Patterson says that the citizens have been understanding of the situation given the fact that it is not affecting their fire protection.

Temecula officials have formed a Construction District in hopes of completing the roads, power, water and sewer lines in the area, and could theoretically have the facility operational within nine months. However, budgetary problems at the state level that have already affected other aspects of Cal Fire's operations, could further postpone the opening of the Temecula station, and the fact remains that there are not many houses or citizens in the area the station was meant to serve. Designed with three bays and spacious living quarters, the facility was built to hold several companies and sixteen firefighters per shift. In the event that the project is completed, Cal Fire and the City of Temecula would only staff Roripaugh Ranch with four firefighters and one engine company.

Despite his frustration, Chief Patterson keeps a positive attitude about the situation. "The frustrating part about it, I think, is that you want to open it but you understand the need is not there. But I am glad that the facility is here because when the need does show up here, I'll have a turnkey facility here ready to go. I can put firefighters in, I can put a fire engine in, and I can start serving the citizens."