Frequently Asked Questions

What will the Marin County Fire Headquarters Facility look like?

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​A design for the facility has not yet been developed. The County expects to select a design team in early summer 2026, with preliminary plans anticipated in fall 2026.

The project is intended to reflect the rural character of the San Geronimo Valley and integrate thoughtfully with the surrounding natural landscape. Community input gathered to date will be shared with the design team to help inform early site planning and architectural visions, including opportunities to enhance community access to trails and open space.

As the design progresses, decisions will balance operational needs, environmental considerations, fiscal responsibility, and community input. The goal is to create a facility that supports firefighter readiness while respecting the Valley’s character and natural beauty.

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How is community input being considered?

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The County is committed to a transparent and inclusive public engagement process. Community members will have multiple opportunities to participate through public meetings, workshops, surveys, and online updates.

Feedback will be shared with the design and construction teams to help guide site planning and facility design. Ongoing updates and engagement opportunities are available at MCFD.HeadquartersProject.org, where community members can stay informed and provide input throughout the project.
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How much will the project cost, and how will it be funded?

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​The project is currently estimated at approximately $71 million. Funding will come from a combination of previously allocated fire facility funds and debt financing.

Marin County has been planning and saving for fire facility improvements since the 2010 Fire Facilities Visioning Plan.

Key factors influencing the cost include:
•    State-mandated seismic and safety standards for essential emergency facilities
•    Specialized building systems required for fire and emergency operations
•    High regional construction costs and recent market increases

The estimated cost per square foot is consistent with comparable fire facilities across California. The County will continue to evaluate cost-saving opportunities throughout design and construction while ensuring the facility meets operational and community needs for decades to come.

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Why does Marin County Fire need a new training facility?

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The Department’s primary training site at the former U.S. Coast Guard facility in Point Reyes (Commodore Webster) is being converted to housing and will no longer be available for fire training. Without a replacement facility, fire agencies would lose access to critical infrastructure needed for hands-on training and maintaining firefighter readiness.

Firefighters must regularly train to respond safely to a wide range of emergencies, including wildland and structure fires, rescues, medical incidents, and disasters. Training facilities are purpose-built environments that meet strict Cal/OSHA and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.

A dedicated training facility ensures firefighters can safely develop and maintain essential skills while supporting broader community preparedness and resilience.

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Why locate the training facility in San Geronimo Valley?

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Marin County Fire Department (MCFD) is the largest fire agency in the county, with approximately 300 firefighters during peak season who require ongoing training.

Locating a training facility within the Department’s response area allows crews to remain available for emergency calls while training. When crews must travel outside their service area, fire engines are temporarily taken out of service, requiring overtime staffing or coverage from neighboring agencies.
 

A centralized West Marin facility improves response readiness, reduces operational costs, and allows firefighters to train efficiently while remaining in service.

Although training facilities exist in San Rafael and Novato, those facilities are fully utilized by their respective departments and cannot support MCFD’s daily training needs or regional academy programs.

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How will the training facility be used?

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The training facility will support both year-round and seasonal personnel. During peak fire season, staffing increases significantly, and many seasonal firefighters require structured, hands-on training.

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The facility will be designed to provide realistic training environments while minimizing environmental impacts. Firefighting foam will not be used. Smoke machines will be incorporated to simulate realistic conditions, including:

• Live fire containers producing black smoke

• White smoke machines within the training tower

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Training activities will focus on skill development, equipment use, and team coordination using safe, controlled methods.

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The site will also support Marin County Fire’s Special Operations teams, including:

• Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Regional Task Force 1

• Cal OES Swiftwater Rescue Team

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These teams respond to complex emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, fires, and rescues. A dedicated facility allows for coordinated, ongoing training to ensure effective emergency response.

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Will community and recreational space be lost?

 

​Maintaining community access and shared space is a key priority in project planning.

Current planning includes:

• Retention of the community garden and food pantry

• Enhancing access public trails and connectivity with communities and schools

• Opportunities for open space and community-oriented features

The goal is to provide essential public safety infrastructure while creating shared, accessible spaces for the community

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What will happen to the San Geronimo Golf Clubhouse?

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​No final decision has been made regarding the future of the existing clubhouse.

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Preliminary studies indicate that upgrading the building to meet current seismic, safety, accessibility, and building system standards would require significant investment, potentially exceeding $13 million.

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A final determination will be made after a design-build team is selected and completes a detailed review of existing studies and cost estimates. This process will identify the most practical and cost-effective path forward.

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Why was the San Geronimo Commons site selected?

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The existing Woodacre fire station, built in the early to mid-1900s, is located within a residential neighborhood and presents ongoing operational and safety challenges. Its central location in the neighborhood limits the station’s ability to support modern fire operations.

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A 24-hour fire station requires frequent training, emergency vehicle movement, and equipment maintenance, all of which are constrained by the current site and surrounding development. Rebuilding in the same location would not fully address these limitations.

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The San Geronimo Commons site provides a more central location within the Valley, improved roadway access, and better conditions for emergency response. This new site will support faster response times, safer ingress and egress, and modern fire service requirements.​