The Del Mar City Council updated its agreement with Solana Beach for fire department structure and staffing on April 21, followed by an announcement two days later that longtime firefighter Bret Davidson will serve as chief.

Davidson has worked in fire departments in El Centro, Rancho Santa Fe and, most recently, Vista as deputy chief.

The council’s vote sets an anticipated annual cost between Del Mar and Solana Beach of $1.6 million for the positions of fire chief, fire marshal, two battalion chiefs, two fire prevention specialists, and a management analyst, according to a council agenda report. It added an additional $65,500 in Del Mar’s share.

“Under this shared management structure, both Cities will have more direct control from their fire department enabling enhanced service-delivery to meet community needs, especially in the growing area of fire prevention,” according to the agenda report. “The proportionality of shared costs will be established in a proposed formalized cost sharing agreement that is currently under development and will be presented to the Cities respective Councils for consideration in the coming months.”

The restructuring of the city’s fire services follows a decision last year by the Encinitas City Council to exit a cooperative fire management services agreement among Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar.

Del Mar Mayor Tracy Martinez said the vote is “essential, because we have no choice.”

“It is key for us not only for safety but our fire maps have changed so it’s even heightened in everybody’s mind, so the role is really important,” Martinez said. “This will be more expensive, but what I’ve learned is I think we’re going to have better services, better safety and I think also better satisfaction among our fire department.”

“We need a battalion chief and tonight’s action is effectively going to enable us to recruit someone who is essential and we really need to have,” Councilmember Terry Gaasterland said.

Councilmember Dan Quirk voted no because he wanted to evaluate the costs with more information about the overall city budget.

“I really feel like we should have the full budget view first as part of this agenda item,” Quirk said. “I prefer to see that information. It’s not that I don’t think it’s incredibly important to have a great fire department, but I really think it’s important for not only us but the community to understand that the fire department is very expensive and that needs to be communicated widely to the rest of the community.”