Congresswoman Matsui Joins City Officials for Groundbreaking at North Natomas Fire Station

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 9, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

CA Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (CA-05) joined Sacramento Fire Chief Ray Jones, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and other City leaders in North Natomas for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sacramento Fire Department's Station 43. This morning's ceremony represents the collaborative work of Congresswoman Matsui, local leaders, and FEMA officials to build the much-needed fire and emergency response station in Natomas that meets both FEMA's requirements and the community's needs. Rep. Matsui's remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below:

I can tell you first hand, it has been a pleasure to work with you and the Sacramento City Fire Department. Today, we come together for the groundbreaking of Fire Station 43. The path to get here today was not easy, but it had to be done. Public safety is my top priority, from flood protection to keeping our streets safe, and ensuring the safety of residents here in Natomas.

As we all know, there is a building moratorium in this part of town, which had the potential to complicate getting this important fire station built. We also know that the residents of this neighborhood need, and deserve to have this fire station be built. Response times in North Natomas have been unacceptably high - often twice as long as the city average.

Overcoming these challenges was important to me, the City Council, the Fire Department, and most importantly to all of you. Last summer staff from my office, the Fire Department, and the City traveled to Oakland to meet with FEMA about how we could get this fire station built.

What resulted from that meeting was the two-story design of the fire station that we are breaking ground on today. Because of their collaborative work, Natomas will get this life-saving station sooner, rather than later.

As I stand here in Natomas, I also want to let you know that the levee work going on and your flood insurance rates are on top of my mind. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress and our local leaders to make sure the levee improvements get completed and for a way to reduce what can be crippling flood insurance rates.

This fire station is a testament to what can get done when we put our minds together. We will keep thinking and acting aggressively as we move forward.

Thank you all for your support of this project. I look forward to continuing to work with you over the next several years.