PRESS RELEASE - Funding Sylmar Fire Station

Posted on 10/29/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 28, 2026

Senator Menjivar and Assemblywoman Rodriguez Announce $1.25 Million in Critical State Funding To Go Towards Building a New Sylmar Fire Station

VAN NUYS, CA - Senator Caroline Menjivar (D-San Fernando Valley) and Assemblymember

Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando Valley) announced $1.25 million in state funding that gets

the Northeast SFV closer to building a much-needed new LAFD fire station in Sylmar. The

announcement took place yesterday at Los Angeles Fire Department Station 91, where

Congresswoman Luz Rivas, LAFD Deputy Chief Aldana, the Sylmar Neighborhood Council,

and community members joined both State Representatives.

Wildfires are growing more frequent and severe across California, and Los Angeles has been no

exception. Climate change is a major contributing factor, and the San Fernando Valley has

endured waves of extreme heat over the past decade. In particular, Sylmar in the northeast has

survived the Sayre Fire in 2008, the Saddleridge Fire in 2019, and, most recently, the Hurst Fire

during the January 2025 Los Angeles fires.

The $1.25 million in state funding builds on decades of advocacy by Councilmember Monica

Rodriguez, equestrian families, residents, and first responders to strengthen wildfire resilience

and emergency response in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. Despite a difficult state budget

year, Senator Menjivar and Assemblymember Rodriguez fought to make the Sylmar Fire Station

a funding priority in both State houses and deliver on what the community asked for.

“Whenever Senate District 20 is under a Red Flag Alert, my mind goes straight to the Northeast

Valley. I think of Sylmar, which has been through fire after fire, and every time, this community

has shown up for each other. They shouldn’t have to wait any longer for a station that protects

them. Our first responders shouldn’t have to race across long distances to reach our most

vulnerable equestrian neighborhoods. I’m proud to deliver $1.25 million alongside

Assemblymember Rodriguez so Sylmar families, our equestrian community, and the firefighters

who have been asking for this finally get the station they deserve.” said Senator Menjivar,

(D-San Fernando Valley).“The Northeast Valley deserves its fair share of resources, and that is what we are fighting for in

Sacramento. For decades, community members, advocates, and leaders have fought for a new

Sylmar fire station to ensure our community has the emergency response resources it needs and

deserves. We are celebrating another step to making that fire station a reality by securing $1.25

million in state funding for the project,” said Assistant Speaker pro Tempore,

Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez. “I want to thank Senator Menjivar for her partnership,

and regional elected leaders for their longstanding commitment to advance this project. This

progress would not be possible without the residents and first responders who have continued to

speak up. By working together across every level of government and alongside the community,

we will deliver the protection our families and neighborhoods deserve.”

“The entire Sylmar community extends our deepest gratitude to Senator Caroline Menjivar and

Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez for securing $ 1.25 million for a desperately-needed second

fire station. This investment represents a significant commitment to public safety and the

well-being of our residents and community. A second fire station will help of course with large

disasters but also daily tragedies like car accidents and other medical emergencies that could

devastate a family and entire neighborhood. It will strengthen emergency response capabilities,

improve coverage, and better serve our growing and surviving community. We appreciate the

leadership, collaboration, and dedication of the Senator and Assemblywoman who made this

important project possible. said Kurt Cabrera-Miller, President of the Sylmar Neighborhood

Council

“The equestrian community in San Fernando Valley is grateful to Assembly Member Rodriguez

for securing state funds to keep our horses, livestock, barns and homes safer in year-round fire

season and wind events.” said Lisa Baca, California State Horsemen's Association

The station's construction budget is estimated at $20.5 million. When completed, the station will

be the second fire station in Sylmar, strengthening first responders' emergency response capacity

for equestrian areas while addressing residents' decades-long call for additional fire service

infrastructure.

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Senator Caroline Menjivar represents California’s 20th Senate District, Burbank and San

Fernando Valley, in Los Angeles County. A Marine Corps veteran and Master of Social Welfare,

she is currently Chair of the Democratic Senate Caucus, Chair of Budget Subcommittee #3 on

Health and Human Services and Vice Chair of California’s Women’s Caucus.

Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez represents the 43rd Assembly District, which includes the

City of San Fernando and communities across the Northeast San Fernando Valley, including

Arleta, Sun Valley, Sylmar, Pacoima, Panorama City, North Hollywood, Valley Glen, Lake View

Terrace, Mission Hills, and North Hills.

 

Left to Right

LAFD Commander Battalion Chief Scott Hilton, Congresswoman Luz Rivas, Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez, Senator Caroline Menjivar, Sylmar Neighborhood Council President Kurt Cabrera-Miller, Members of LAFD Station 91 Sylmar.

 

 

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