Big Bear Lake board asks county fire for full-service cost proposal including ambulance

The Big Bear Lake Fire Protection District voted unanimously Thursday to ask San Bernardino County Fire District for a cost proposal to provide full fire and emergency medical services under a contract, including ambulance coverage and projected costs for the coming years.

Board members voted in favor after a substitute motion clarifying that the board seeks a contract rather than annexation and that proposals should include full-service coverage across Big Bear Lake, including underserved extremities. The motion was brought by Board Member Melnick and seconded by Board Member Putz and passed on a roll call of Aye from Segovia, Hicks, Melnick/Malnik, Putz/Putts and Chair Herrick.

Why it matters: the board instructed staff to ask the county for a formal cost proposal to evaluate whether contracting with San Bernardino County Fire could deliver full fire protection and ambulance service for the city. Board members requested the proposal also include multi-year cost projections to show how costs might change over the next several years.

At the meeting, an attendee identified as a public commenter said, “I personally am not interested in annexation. I’m interested in a contract,” urging the board to preserve local control. The commenter also asked that the RFP include ways the county could better serve remote parts of the city, citing needs in the West End and Upper Moon Ridge.

Board members said they would convey those priorities to staff. A board member asked staff to make sure Eric (staff lead) includes the requested elements when contacting county officials. When asked about a timeline, staff said one has not been set; a board member said the board seeks action “as soon as possible.”

The meeting closed with a remembrance read by Chair Herrick for Sandy Stiers, the longtime executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, who the board said died the night before. The board offered condolences and adjourned.

Next steps: staff will contact San Bernardino County Fire to request the cost proposal and report back to the board; no formal timeline was provided at the meeting.