In the past several years, the KMPUD Board has been working on how to address the challenges of funding and maintaining adequate volunteer staffing levels with an all-volunteer fire department to continue to provide reliable fire services for the Kirkwood community. 
In 2023, the voters in Kirkwood considered a special tax for the fire department called Measure E to address the above issues but this was voted down for assorted reasons.
Based on the community feedback after Measure E, the KMPUD Board asked Staff to begin exploring other funding and organizational staffing option which include possibly contracting with neighboring fire districts in Amador and Alpine counties to help provide fire services with paid staffing, looking at the feasibility and cost to provide a paid internal Kirkwood fire department.
In December 2024, the Amador Fire Protection District Fire Chief came to speak to the Board to talk about their proposal to provide services for hire to the Kirkwood community.
In February 2025, Staff hosted a Community Fire Forum to further discuss the future of the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department.
Please see the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department FAQ and other informative links below to assist you with background information about the fire department:
YouTube Videos
- YouTube video of the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department Community Forum 2/20/2025.
- YouTube video of the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department Community Forum 1/23/2025.
- YouTube video of the KMPUD Board Meeting with Chief Withrow of Amador County Fire Protection District on 12/6/2024.
PowerPoint Presentations
- PowerPoint Presentation of the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department Community Forum 2/20/2025.
- PowerPoint Presentation of the Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department Community Forum 1/23/2025.
Related Information & Content
- Community Fire Department Survey Results from February 2024.
- Kirkwood Volunteer Fire Department FAQ.
- September 2023 KMPUD Board Meeting for additional information about the 218 Process.
- Amador County Supervisor Jeff Brown, 810 Court Street, Jackson, CA 95642, (209) 223-6493, jeffbrown@amadorgov.org
- Alpine County Supervisor Terry Woodrow, PO Box 158, Markleeville, CA 96120, (530) 721-6008, twoodrow@alpinecountyca.gov