Avenal Requests 6 More Months of Fire Coverage from Kings County

Kings County has not yet responded to the city's request following disagreements over the safety of the community center.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:48am

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The City of Avenal has requested an additional six months of fire coverage from Kings County after the county unanimously voted to terminate its contract with the city. The decision to end the contract came after disagreements over the safety of Avenal's community center, which the Kings County fire chief deemed unsafe but the city manager overruled. Kings County cited liability concerns as the reason for the termination, but Avenal has outlined a backup plan for fire services and is now awaiting a response from the county on its request for an extension.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the challenges cities and counties can face in providing essential public safety services, especially when there are disagreements over infrastructure safety and liability concerns. The outcome could have significant impacts on the 13,000 residents of Avenal, who rely on the county for fire protection.

The details

Kings County Fire was expected to move out of Avenal on March 31 after the county unanimously voted to terminate its contract with the city. This decision followed disagreements over the safety of Avenal's community center, which the Kings County fire chief said was not up to code but the city manager overruled, allowing a boxing event to take place there the next day. Kings County cited liability concerns as the reason for the termination, but Avenal has outlined a backup plan that includes coordinating with nearby agencies and accelerating the activation of its own fire department.

  • On March 28, Kings County Supervisor Doug Verboon cited liability concerns as the reason for the termination of the fire services contract.
  • On March 29, the boxing event went ahead at the Avenal Community Center, even though it was still under construction.
  • On March 31, Kings County announced that Avenal had requested an additional six months of fire coverage, but the county did not make a decision on the request.

The players

City of Avenal

The city that requested an additional six months of fire coverage from Kings County after the county voted to terminate its contract.

Kings County Board of Supervisors

The county governing body that unanimously voted to terminate its fire services contract with the City of Avenal due to liability concerns over the community center.

Doug Verboon

A Kings County Supervisor who cited liability concerns as the reason for the termination of the fire services contract.

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What they’re saying

“If something does happen and we authorize them to be in a building and something happens in a building, we're liable. We don't want any liability for decisions that we have no control over.”

— Doug Verboon, Kings County Supervisor

What’s next

The Kings County Board of Supervisors will need to decide whether to grant Avenal's request for an additional six months of fire coverage or move forward with the termination of the contract.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the complex issues cities and counties can face in providing essential public safety services, especially when there are disagreements over infrastructure safety and liability concerns. The outcome could have significant impacts on the residents of Avenal, who rely on the county for fire protection.