FILLMORE : Full-Time Fire Captain to Be Hired

The Fillmore City Council has voted to hire a full-time fire captain to help manage the city’s volunteer Fire Department, which officials said is in danger of folding.

The council voted 4 to 1 Tuesday night to add the position in the 65-year-old department. Councilman Mike McMahan cast the dissenting vote, citing concerns about the budget.

But Councilman Scott Lee said that to keep the volunteer organization running will save money for the city in the long run.

“The volunteer Fire Department is our best buy,” he said. It was not clear how much the new position will cost.

City officials said the new captain will help cover the increasing number of daytime calls answered by volunteer firefighters who usually have to take time off their regular jobs to respond.

The captain also will fill in for Fire Chief Pat Askren, currently the department’s only full-time salaried member, when he is on leave.

The council’s action came in response to a plea from Askren, who told the council last month that the firefighters are overworked. Askren said he could not guarantee the continued existence of the volunteer organization without providing some relief for key members who are forced into the role of fire chief whenever Askren is unavailable.

“It’s a big responsibility, taking care of 13,000 people,” Askren said. “Should the city expect a volunteer to do that?”

In an effort to cut city expenditures, the council also voted to eliminate travel expenses and reduce office equipment and supply purchases. The panel agreed to reallocate redevelopment funds as well as water and sewer revenues to help cover some employee salaries. The council is also studying a proposal to reduce its animal regulation services.