The Sacramento Fire Department could begin rolling brownouts of a second fire engine company beginning March 1, according to a city staff report. The department began rotating brownouts of one company in July, a move that led to an increase of 1 minute and 34 seconds in response times in city neighborhoods where the nearest fire company was closed.

The brownouts are a cost-cutting move for the city. The fire department's budget was cut by 4 percent for the current fiscal year.

Implementation of the second brownout was initially scheduled for January. However, the city manager's office delayed the move until fire officials could report on the impact of the first fire company closure.

Rotating closures of a second fire company will lead to longer response times and "an increase in property lost," according to the staff report. Fire officials noted that so far, the rolling brownouts had not led to a significant increase in injuries to firefighters or citizens.

However, the report does highlight a handful of emergencies in which the brownouts played a role in fires growing.

According to the report, two fires on Labor Day weekend last year spread into neighboring homes and crews "felt that the delay in the 'first in' engine company contributed to the this situation."

A fire on the American River Parkway also grew "considerably" because the department's grass fire rig was browned out. The report also mentions a fire in Natomas in which four firefighters were injured, but it is not clear what role the brownouts played in that incident.

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