Rancho Adobe Fire and Sonoma County Fire planning to join forces

The Rancho Adobe Fire District has always been proud to serve the community with dedication, professionalism, and compassion. As we look toward the future, we must also ensure that the service we provide keeps pace with the growing needs of our residents.

That is why Rancho Adobe Fire District is moving forward with consolidation into the Sonoma County Fire District. This decision comes after careful planning and discussion, and it is rooted in a commitment to deliver the highest level of fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the people we serve.

On August 19th & 20th, the Boards of the Sonoma County Fire District and the Rancho Adobe Fire District respectively, took historic action to sign resolutions with a recommendation to merge agencies through consolidation.

This is the first in a series steps required by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) to merge the two fire agencies.  The legal process of annexation will create one fire district with an increased area of responsibility and sphere of influence. As the annexing agency, Sonoma County Fire District will merge the Rancho Adobe Fire District into its organization.

What this means for our community:

• Advanced Life Support (ALS) on Every Call
  Our community will benefit from paramedic-level care on every engine company — ensuring rapid, life-saving treatment when seconds matter most.
• Increased Staffing and Resources
  By pooling resources, the new district will be able to staff more engines, expand coverage, and reduce response times.
• Enhanced Efficiency
  A single, streamlined organization means reduced duplication of services, more coordinated emergency response, and greater financial stability.
• Improved Training and Safety
  Firefighters will have expanded access to training, equipment, and support, ensuring they can continue to meet the challenges of today’s emergencies and tomorrow’s disasters.
• Long-Term Sustainability
  Consolidation strengthens the financial health of the fire service, ensuring we can provide reliable, sustainable protection for generations to come.

This is not just an administrative change — it is an investment in you, our community. Our mission has always been, and will remain, to protect lives, property, and the environment. By joining together with Sonoma County Fire District, we are stronger, better equipped, and better prepared to serve you.

One of the main questions that we are asked is will my taxes go up? The answer is NO for taxpayers in both districts.  The existing tax structure will remain the same and the service level will increase for residents and business owners in both districts.

What will change for the community? The patch on the uniform and the name on the door of the fire engine.  Yes, other behind the scenes changes will occur with consolidation, however, the service that our firefighters provide will improve with the enhancement of firefighter paramedics on each of the fire engines.  Analysis also reflects that there will be cost savings by reducing duplication in each agency, purchasing power and administrative support. 

Members of the community will have multiple opportunities and are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposed consolidation through attendance at our monthly Board of Directors meeting – 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm at the Cotati Fire Station, 1 E. Cotati Ave, Cotati. Additionally, once the proposal is accepted by LAFCo, there will be a public protest period in which input is accepted.

We are grateful for the trust you place in us every day, and we look forward to continuing our service as part of a stronger, united fire district.

Together, we are building a safer future.

Questions or comments can be emailed to jveliquette@rafd.org