Hollywood Burbank Airport opts to not reduce firefighter staffing

Hollywood Burbank Airport officials recently decided to not reduce its aircraft rescue-and-firefighting services after finalizing a labor agreement with its in-house fire department.

Members from various firefighter unions throughout the state have approached the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority since its decision in June to reduce the minimum number of on-duty fire personnel at the airport from five firefighters and one captain to three firefighters and one captain.

“The firefighters have ratified their contract, which addresses pay and no decrease in staffing levels for the next three years,” said Rachael Warecki, a spokeswoman for the airport. “The current levels would remain the same through the term of the contract.”

Brian Rice, a field representative for District 10 of the International Assn. of Fire Fighters who was involved in the labor negotiation process, addressed authority members earlier this month and told them that a reduction in staffing levels would be detrimental to the airport.

“Reduce the firefighters here to four [people], you effectively have agreed to an ineffective firefighting force,” Rice said.

Hollywood Burbank has been operating with five firefighters and one captain since 2015. However, airport staff earlier this year opted to reduce staffing levels because they believed the same level of service would be achievable with fewer personnel.

Index C airports like Hollywood Burbank are required to have a minimum of two firefighters and one captain, according to Federal Aviation Administration standards.

anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio