Atascadero is receiving a $1 million federal investment to equip its new fire station and emergency operations center, a funding boost that the city said will strengthen its ability to respond to wildfires and other large-scale emergencies.
The funding was announced on June 26 as part of a broader federal package of nearly $259 million secured for California projects in the 2026 fiscal year by U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff.
“One of my top priorities in the Senate is protecting Californians from the threat of wildfires and ensuring we do all we can to prepare for and mitigate the risks of all natural disasters,” Schiff said in a statement. “I’m very proud to have secured these federal investments for Central California families.”
Atascadero’s allocation will go toward outfitting the emergency operations center with critical systems, including reserve power, communications infrastructure, storage capacity, and enhanced security measures designed to keep the facility operational during prolonged disasters.
According to the city, the investment will also directly support the long-term resilience of the new Fire Station No. 1, which is being designed to function as both a modern fire facility and a command center during emergencies such as wildfires, earthquakes, and extended power outages.
The federal funding arrives as Atascadero is in the midst of its Public Safety Facilities Project, a multi-phase effort to replace and upgrade aging fire and police infrastructure across the city. On May 12, the city announced the start of construction on the project’s first phase, following six years of planning, engineering design, and community engagement.
“This moment reflects years of thoughtful planning and partnership,” Mayor Charles Bourbeau said in a statement. “Breaking ground on these first facilities is an exciting step forward, and we are incredibly grateful to our community for making it possible through their support of the voter-approved sales tax measure, Measure D-20.”
The first phase includes renovations to Fire Station No. 2 and construction of a new 1,300-square-foot detached building at police headquarters. The upgrades are intended to improve emergency response coordination, modernize outdated facilities, and enhance safety for public safety personnel.
Fire Station No. 1, Fire Station No. 2, and the Police Department will all be impacted by the broader public safety project. Fire Station No. 1 will ultimately be replaced with a new approximately 17,000-to-18,000-square-foot facility on the same site and will house the city’s emergency operations center. Fire Station No. 2 will be modernized to meet current safety and code requirements, while police headquarters will receive interior renovations, upgraded locker rooms and restrooms, expanded office and storage space, and improved operational infrastructure.
The full facilities project carries a budget of approximately $37 million. Funding sources include Measure D-20 sales tax revenues, congressional district spending grants, and city building maintenance reserves. Construction is expected to continue through fall 2027. ∆
This article appears in July 2-9, 2026.
