City of Avenal's request for fire service extension denied in court

AVENAL, Calif. (KFSN) -- Just one week after the city of Avenal introduced a six-month transition plan to ensure residents maintain access to emergency services, a Kings County court denied the request.

On Wednesday, a judge decided the matter should play out in a later, more thorough hearing.

The city applied for the temporary restraining order to force Kings County to continue fire services in Avenal for six months, something city manager Anthony Lopez says is in line with the city's policy with the county.

RELATED: Safety dispute prompts Kings County to end fire services in Avenal

"This is more of a policy dispute, not necessarily something that was a just cause. It's an adverse or kind of an extraordinary action to just completely pull out the agreement," Lopez said.

It comes in response to the county supervisors' unanimous vote to end its contract with the city over safety concerns at a boxing event at Avenal's new community center in March.

That vital dispute all unfolded in a matter of days.

"There was no kind of curing period. There was no notice of letting me or the city know, hey, we disagree with your direction or your decision, this can put our agreement in jeopardy. None of that happened," Lopez explained.

Last week, county leaders announced the closure of Fire Station 12 in Avenal, saying it will continue to respond to emergencies in Avenal based on dispatch criteria and with additional support through partner agencies.

Avenal has since begun establishing its own fire department, naming Jacob McAfee as its first fire chief.

Lopez told Action News he hoped the extension would be granted, but maintains the city's confidence in its young department going forward.

"There are still some pieces of the puzzle that are being worked on. Chief McAfee is already making the necessary decisions to make that happen sooner than later," he said.

Action News reached out to Kings County for a comment, but we're told it could not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.

The two sides will now prepare their cases ahead of the next hearing, set for April 22.