ENCINITAS — Nearly late for the ribbon cutting and fire engine push-in ceremony, Encinitas Mayor Bruce Ehlers said the delay ironically underscored the need for the temporary fire station being celebrated — and for an eventual permanent home for Fire Station 1.
Ehlers addressed a crowd gathered in front of the new temporary fire station next to the Pacific View Arts Center in downtown Encinitas.
“Driving down here today, it became very clear why this has to be here,” he said. “I came from Olivenhain, and it took me longer than I expected, and I almost didn’t make it on time. A lot of that delay was caused by getting across I-5 under the railroad tracks, through downtown, and over here.
“So having a fire station in the right place is paramount.”
The previous Fire Station 1 was located two blocks north and a half block east of the new temporary site. In October 2024, the city learned the original station — built in 1957 — no longer met earthquake safety standards and would have to be vacated, according to city documents.
The Encinitas City Council issued an emergency declaration the following month to construct a temporary station and formed a subcommittee to explore alternative locations. The Pacific View Arts Center was one of seven sites reviewed by the council, according to city documents.
Fire Chief Josh Gordon said he never would have imagined the number of city departments and levels of government he would need to coordinate with to complete the project, adding that the process showed him what an “amazing” city Encinitas is.
“I thought you just put the wet stuff on the hot stuff and make sure all these guys and girls behind you are trained up to the best possible service to our community,” Gordon said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Ben Stryker, a city engineer, told The Coast News that as project manager for the design and construction of the temporary station, he was in constant communication with Gordon, contractors, inspectors and other stakeholders to complete the project on a compressed timeline of just over a year.
“It’s always a good sense of accomplishment seeing the physical improvements on projects that have a meaningful impact on the community,” Stryker said.
One Type 1 fire engine will operate out of the temporary station, supported by a three-person crew, according to the city. The station will also house a utility vehicle and cost approximately $2.1 million.
While awaiting construction of the temporary station near the Pacific View Arts Center, firefighters doubled up at Fire Station 3 near the southwestern intersection of Leucadia Boulevard and Interstate 5. Gordon thanked firefighters for making sacrifices to ensure public safety under less-than-ideal conditions.
“I don’t think you care where the fire engines come from,” he said. “You just want … it to arrive quickly with people that are prepared and ready to act. This temporary station protects that promise. It gives our crews a safe, functional place to start every shift and respond quickly in one of the busiest areas of our city.”
Deputy Mayor Jim O’Hara said the city and City Council continue to prioritize a long-term solution for Fire Station 1 and encouraged community involvement in that process.
“Please stay involved,” O’Hara told the crowd. “Give us your ideas, give us your feedback.”
