Firefighter Morale

I now know why the Oxnard professional firefighters’ morale is at an all-time low. The city of Oxnard is being run by insensitive, uncaring individuals. City Manager Thomas Frutchey and council member Andres Herrera are not concerned about the citizens and employees of Oxnard or the fire victims.

Oxnard officials sent a maximum of two engine companies to the wildfires. My husband was one of the firefighters sent to the recent Wheeler fire. Fortunately, mother nature was kind and the wind stopped before the fire killed anyone, including my husband and father of two children. However, the county informed the crew that they were on their own, due to lack of available manpower. The off-duty Oxnard firefighters were not available, because the city did not offer additional support.

If this is mutual aid, I would not like to see a fire at the high-rise or a fire in an Oxnard residential neighborhood during the Santa Ana winds. You don’t have to live in the hills to be exposed during the devil winds. After all, how many of our homes have fire-resistant roofs? Would the county only send two fire companies? Who would back up the already minimal Oxnard Fire Department? Fortunately, the county and city of Ventura recall all firefighters during emergency situations. They will be there for us. Why wasn’t Oxnard willing to help out our neighbors?

TERRIE MURPHY

Oxnard