El Cajon approves funds for reconstruction of Fletcher Hills Fire Station 7

East County News Service

March 28, 2026 (El Cajon) – Heartland Fire’s station 7 in Fletcher Hills, built in 1960, will soon undergo major renovations. El Cajon’s City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve budget revisions for the reconstruction.

The Council voted to accept a $1.5 million grant from the San Diego River Watershed, plus allocate $2.5 million from the city’s general fund to supplement $3.2 million in funds from Proposition 0, for a total renovation cost of $7.2 million.

The original station has only a single apparatus bay.  The remodel will add a second apparatus bay, allowing for a second fire truck to be housed at the station.  According to a staff report, this will enable first responders to enhance service capabilities and improve response times, including for wildfire response.

The renovations also include increasing the size of the station from 3,488 to 5,000 square feet, upgrading dormitories and staff facilities, and installing a new solar battery and energy storage system.

Construction is slated to start in November and be completed by October 2027.