Just in case that last story's link somehow disappears.. This is explaining the difference of response time for this specific incident had the main fire station on middlefield closed prior to this fire. "The added response time would have been 1 minute or less. Engine 6 responded from downtown along with the middlefield crew. If the station were to be closed and relocated to flood park at Bay road, it would have added only 1 minute. Unbelievable to people who aren't familiar with fire protection strategy but a palo alto fire engine also responded, which would have put enough trucks on scene to competently control the situation. Also a redwood city battalion chief responded and a redwood city fire engine. This means the only gap of time that would have occurred would be 1 minute. Engine 6 from downtown also arrived only 23 seconds after the middlefield station's trucks, meaning there would be virtually no difference in response time. Hopefully I've answered your question."