Wave Staff Report
MONTEBELLO — County Supervisor Hilda Solis presented the city of Montebello with a $750,000 check in discretionary Measure B funding April 23 to support the expansion of emergency medical services at the new Brush Wildland Fire Station in the Metro Heights area of North Montebello.
The funding will support the build-out of emergency medical services at Fire, Rescue and EMS Station 58, a facility designed to strengthen emergency response capabilities in one of the city’s highest fire-hazard zones. Officials said the station will enhance wildfire response, expand emergency medical services and reduce response times.
“Firefighters play a pivotal role in our neighborhoods, including providing essential medical services during emergencies,” Solis said. “This investment reflects my commitment to ensuring communities like Montebello are equipped to respond to emergency medical needs and lifesaving services in the field.
“I’m proud to support this funding, which will help strengthen local emergency response infrastructure, protect vulnerable populations and improve the health and wellbeing for our shared constituents.”
Last July, the county Board of Supervisors approved the Department of Health Services’ recommendation to allocate $20 million in one-time, unassigned Measure B funds. The funding was distributed evenly among the five supervisorial districts to address urgent health care and emergency response needs.
“On behalf of the city of Montebello, we are deeply grateful to Supervisor Solis for her continued support and leadership,” Montebello Mayor Georgina Tamayo said. “This funding will directly go toward building out the important emergency medical services at Fire Station 58 in the Metro Heights area. The building of Fire Station 58 will not only improve response times, but it will also enhance the safety and resilience of our entire community.”
The Montebello Fire Department has identified the Metro Heights area as a high-risk zone due to steep terrain, dry vegetation and increasing wildfire threats. The city currently operates three fire stations, an infrastructure that has remained largely unchanged since 1947 despite population growth, and increased demand for emergency services. The new station will be the city’s fourth.
“This project represents a major advancement in how we deliver emergency services in Montebello,” City Manager Raul Alvarez said. “Fire Station 58 will serve as a modern, all-hazards response facility — equipped to handle wildfires, medical emergencies and complex public safety challenges. We appreciate Supervisor Solis’ investment in our city and look forward to continuing to secure the resources needed to bring this project to completion.”
Fire Station 58 will be built on a 5.5-acre site and is expected to include apparatus bays, living quarters for on-duty personnel and space for the Montebello Community Assistance Program team. The facility will support wildfire suppression, paramedic services, and outreach to vulnerable populations.
Construction is expected to take 18 to 30 months once full funding and project initiation are in place.
