The Ripon Consolidated Fire District is looking to staff Station No. 3.

That's the 6,500 square foot residential fire station located on North Ripon Road just north of East River Road. The station, completed more than two years ago, has not been able to be staffed.

The fire district is also working hard to sustain fire and ambulance response given its resources.

"We're a small district located with a larger district (City of Ripon) and inside an even larger district (San Joaquin County)," said Chairman Bryce Perkins following Tuesday's special joint meeting with the Ripon City Council.

Councilman Mike Restuccia pushed for the 2x2 session with both boards.

RCFD has been in existence for nearly 100 years — Perkins said that next year will be the 100th anniversary. It has an operating budget of about $3 million and a coverage area of over 56 square miles, bordering from the Stanislaus River to parts of Escalon to as far north to the unincorporated area of Atlanta.

Given the limited resources and staffing, fire and ambulances, with a single emergency call to those parts, can quickly see services to Ripon impacted.

"We're a 9-1-1 dispatch-only (service)," said Brenda Lange, who handles ambulance billing for the district.

Ripon does get services from Escalon, Manteca, Salida and Lathrop, to name a few.

"Don't be surprised if it doesn't say 'Ripon,'" said Perkins.