SEAL BEACH : City May Pay More to Keep Fire Service

State budget reductions might force cutbacks at a county fire station that serves the Leisure World retirement community unless the city agrees to pay more for the services, officials say.

Both Leisure World leaders and Seal Beach officials expressed concern about the possible reductions in paramedic service and said they support having the city increase its contribution to the Orange County Fire Department, which provides service to Seal Beach.

Exactly how much the city might have to pay is yet to be determined, said City Manager Jerry L. Bankston. Seal Beach pays about $2 million annually under a cash contract for fire services.

Fire officials informed the city that if the state makes good on its promise to take more property tax revenues from the county, they won’t be able to provide the same level of service without more money from Seal Beach.

“The county is feeling the same pinch we are,” said Councilman William J. Doane, who represents Leisure World. “We are not about to let the paramedics leave this facility. We have 8,000 people in their 70s (and older) here.”

The station, located off Seal Beach Boulevard just outside the gated community, handles an average of five calls a day from Leisure World, according to a Fire Department spokeswoman. Several Leisure World residents said that on some days firefighters or paramedics are called into the community more than a dozen times.

“We are going to have to absorb” the added costs, said Doane, echoing the view of other Leisure World residents. “I am going to fight to the death to prevent any service cuts.”

Increasing funding for fire service would have to be approved by the council when it takes up the 1993-94 fiscal year budget later this summer.