Contra Costa County Establishes Temporary Fire Station 87 at Concord Buchanan Field Airport

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Monday morning to establish a temporary emergency response facility, designated as Fire Station 87, on the airfield perimeter of Buchanan Field Airport in Concord. The decision authorizes a $1.4 million initial capital allocation for modular crew quarters, dedicated airfield apparatus bays, and dual-certified aircraft rescue equipment. First responders and airport operations personnel emphasized that the new station will drastically shorten emergency response times for both general aviation runway incidents and surrounding commercial corridors along John Glenn Drive and Highway 4.

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Chief Lewis Broschard presented the operational plan alongside airport director Keith Freitas during the morning public hearing at the county administration building in Martinez. Con Fire officials explained that while the airport's existing regional mutual aid arrangements provide robust off-site coverage, the steady expansion of corporate jet traffic, flight training academies, and emergency medical helicopters requires dedicated on-site personnel. Station 87 will house a full-time three-person engine company certified in specialized aircraft rescue firefighting techniques twenty-four hours a day.

Municipal leaders across Concord, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek expressed strong support for the airport station, noting that it will reinforce northern Contra Costa emergency coverage. Concord City Council members commended the county for addressing long-standing airspace safety recommendations while maintaining seamless neighborhood fire protection. The temporary modular facility will begin operational readiness drills in late November, serving as an operational bridge while county engineers design a permanent multi-bay aviation and municipal public safety complex scheduled for 2028.

Local pilots, flight training students, and aviation mechanics can review runway safety procedures, fuel storage protocols, and emergency airfield access guidelines online at contracosta.ca.gov or buchananfield.com. Operational briefings and public inquiries regarding Buchanan Field Airport emergency services may also be directed to airport administration Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM at (925) 681-4200. County supervisors will review initial station call volume and regional response time metrics at their upcoming January oversight session.