City Hall News : Switching Fire Services to County Draws Criticism

The Pomona City Council’s recent vote to contract its fire services to Los Angeles County ended a hot issue, but it hasn’t doused debate.

The measure, which passed by a 4-3 vote Jan. 10, will bring county fire protection for Pomona’s nearly 140,000 residents. Logistics are still being worked out and there is no date yet set for the transfer. But many residents lament the conversion.

“My feeling is that there is absolutely nothing the county can do for us that we can’t do for ourselves,” said Bob Jackson, a member of the Support Committee to Keep the Pomona Fire Department.

The council debate, and vote, came down to what made dollars and sense for a city facing a $3-million deficit.

The county’s bid for services came in at nearly $500,000 less than the city’s. The pro-city camp claimed, though, that the county would pass on expenses--for station repairs, equipment maintenance, and wage increases--that would eventually raise county costs above the city’s.

“It’s what happens over five years that matters,” said Mayor Eddie Cortez, who voted against the proposal.

Councilman Marco Robles said the move makes sense. “It’s unrealistic to think we can keep a Fire Department through the year 2000 and beyond that meets our needs,” he said.

According to Capt. Bob Baker, Pomona serves nearly twice as many residents with 40 fewer firefighters than when he joined the department 20 years ago. The county Fire Department can supplement Pomona’s existing services with an additional 11 stations and 150 firefighters within five miles of the city.