A public dispute over the future and performance of the Canyon Lake Fire Department intensified this week after a representative of Cal Fire Local 2881, which represents Cal Fire Firefighters of Riverside County, called on the Canyon Lake City Council to address what he described as ongoing operational concerns, prompting a formal response from Canyon Lake City Manager Arron Brown.
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In a letter addressed to the Canyon Lake City Council, District Vice President Daniel Kitt, representing CAL FIRE/Riverside County Firefighters, argued that Canyon Lake has faced challenges since leaving the Riverside County Fire Department system in 2020. The letter cited concerns about staffing levels, employee retention, response reliability, firefighter compensation, and the long-term sustainability of the city’s fire department.
Kitt contended that Canyon Lake has become increasingly reliant on neighboring agencies for emergency response coverage and questioned whether the city is adequately funding and staffing its fire department.
The letter also called for public disclosure of any discussions or agreements involving neighboring jurisdictions and raised concerns about reports that City Manager Arron Brown may have sought side agreements with neighboring cities to secure emergency response support outside of a transparent, publicly debated process.
Among the questions posed to city leaders were the department’s current operational status, the impact of staffing challenges on emergency response, the city’s Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating, potential effects on insurance costs, and whether Canyon Lake should consider returning to a regional fire service model.
In response, Brown issued a statement defending the city’s fire service model and disputing several of the claims raised by Kitt.
Brown stated that the Canyon Lake Fire Department began operations as a city-owned and operated department in 2022 and responded to more than 1,100 emergency calls in 2024 with an average response time of approximately six minutes.
The city manager also addressed concerns regarding the city’s ISO rating and insurance costs.
“I want to be direct: there has been no downgrade in the City’s ISO rating, and the City is not aware of any insurance cost increase resulting from the City’s decision to operate the Canyon Lake Fire Department,” Brown said.
Brown rejected allegations that the city relies disproportionately on neighboring agencies or has entered into undisclosed agreements for emergency response coverage.
“The City of Canyon Lake does not have ‘side deals,’ and it does not shift responsibility to neighboring communities,” Brown said.
According to Brown, many of the calls the Canyon Lake Fire Department responds to are outside the city limits, “because automatic and mutual aid are normal, responsible, and longstanding parts of fire service.”
Brown reported that in 2025, the Canyon Lake Fire Department responded outside the city 117 times, while outside agencies responded within the City of Canyon Lake 73 times. During the first half of 2026, Canyon Lake responded outside the city 55 times, while neighboring agencies responded within the City of Canyon Lake 26 times.
Brown said those figures demonstrate Canyon Lake’s active participation in the regional emergency response system rather than a dependence on surrounding departments.
“Canyon Lake participates in the regional system both as a local fire department serving our residents and as a partner that responds when neighboring communities need support,” Brown said. “Additionally, the City of Canyon Lake regularly engages in professional, agency-to-agency communications that ensure the documented response configuration between all public agencies in our region reflects firefighter safety, operational best practices, and the resources that would be expected during an actual emergency.”
Brown emphasized that Canyon Lake maintains professional working relationships with Riverside County Fire/CAL FIRE and neighboring jurisdictions, describing them as “valued public servants and valued regional partners.”
Brown acknowledged the policy differences surrounding the city’s decision to operate its own fire department but said the city’s focus remains on public safety, firefighter safety, fiscal responsibility, and maintaining reliable emergency response services.
The exchange highlights continuing debate over Canyon Lake’s decision to establish an independent municipal fire department after separating from Riverside County Fire services. While union representatives argue the city faces ongoing staffing and sustainability challenges, city officials maintain the department is meeting service expectations and operating successfully within the regional mutual aid system.
