Several months after the passing of Measure A, things seem to have settled in Julian regarding fire protection.

During the last court appearance in November, San Diego Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp ruled in favor of the San Diego Local Area Formation Commission’s (LAFCO) dissolution of the volunteer fire protection district. Shortly after Judge Trapp’s decision, the San Diego County Fire Authority entered Station 56 and removed the fire equipment left by the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District (JCFPD).

Equipment included fire engines, ambulances and breathing apparatus items. Flatbed trucks were seen leaving Julian with multiple JCFPD fire engines and ambulances en route to be inspected, repaired and possibly sold.

Since the vehicles had sat in the station and were not used for some time, there is a possibility that they may never be used again.

With Station 56 now under the control of the San Diego County Fire Authority, CAL Fire is responding to calls and trying to gain a bit of normalcy in the community. Of course, all is not completely settled and it may never truly settle for some. The issue of the land the station sits on is still up for discussion. However, it is somewhat calming to see a decrease in the negativity on social media.

There was a definite division among the community and most likely, it will remain for a very long time. Whether the final outcome of the issue is right or wrong, this is our new norm. Those individuals who are now responsible for protecting Julian lives and property are doing so at the risk of their own lives.

They are the brave men and women who respond to emergency calls each and every day and overall the Julian community is grateful to have their assistance.