As the Fire Chief of the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, it is my pleasure to present the adopted budget for fiscal year 2025–26. I am proud of the exceptional work accomplished over the past year by our professional staff, leadership team, and the Board. This budget represents a thoughtful and practical financial plan for the coming year, one that demonstrates responsible stewardship of public funds while positioning the District to meet evolving service demands. It upholds our commitment to providing outstanding fire protection and emergency services, aligns with our mission, and supports the strategic priorities and operational goals set forth for the year ahead.

 

Over the past fiscal year, we achieved several key milestones that reflect our dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in public service. We successfully developed a comprehensive Five-Year Strategic Plan through a robust and inclusive process involving feedback from staff, agency peers, members of the community, and the Board. The Station 1 rebuild project received formal approval and continued support from the Board, with succeeding phases now in progress. We launched a paramedic school sponsorship program aimed at investing in the next generation of emergency medical professionals and addressing future workforce needs. The District also enhanced its mental health support systems, expanding resources to promote the well-being of all personnel. These accomplishments, along with numerous program-specific improvements across the organization, underscore our unwavering commitment to service excellence, innovation, and community engagement.

 

The FY 2025–26 budget is balanced and structured to meet the District’s operational needs while preserving a stable level of funding for critical capital projects. Several forward-looking initiatives are included this year, most notably the establishment of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) cache and new public charging stations to support community resilience during emergencies. We are also investing in our internal infrastructure through an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system upgrade, a facility condition assessment, and an internal controls review. The District will continue to support our workforce and future fire service professionals through expanded wellness initiatives and the Explorer Scholarship Program. Together, these initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to preparedness, efficiency, and the well-being of both our community and staff.

 

We would like to express our appreciation to the Town of Atherton, the City of Menlo Park, the City of East Palo Alto, and the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County that are protected by the District for their continued support of this vital public safety partnership. A special note of gratitude is extended to the Board of Directors for their leadership, strategic direction, and consistent support. We also thank the taxpaying public, our residents, and the local business community for their trust, collaboration, and shared commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safe. Finally, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all District staff for their ongoing professionalism, dedication, and support to our communities and the mission of the District.

 

Respectfully, 

 

Mark Lorenzen

Fire Chief