Senator Menjivar and Assemblymember 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.
