The Mayor’s plan for Klingle Valley includes access by fire, rescue, and utility vehicles along with the regular bike and pedestrian traffic. Without car traffic, DDOT. says that “emergency response will be enhanced for the closed section.” Utility work would be easier as well.

Acting FireEMS Chief Adrian Thompson wrote on Feb 21, 2003 that FireEMS is “Not considering the use of Klingle Road as a primary emergency response route” and that “Klingle Road is not a priority artery in responding to both fire and emergency medical service emergencies. It is not a desirable response road primarily because it has narrow lanes, steep slopes, dangerous curves, insufficient lighting, and other hampering circumstances.” He maintains that he has “no issue with the road remaining closed to vehicular traffic” so long as emergency access to the closed section is provided, which is the Mayor’s proposal.

Chief Thompson, and Former Chief Few, both have confirmed that Klingle is not needed as an emergency route, yet the pro-road group still claims that it is an issue.