BUENA PARK : Fire Service Topic of Residents’ Concerns
More than 80 residents showed up at Monday night’s City Council meeting to voice concerns about a proposal to contract with the county for fire services.
Last May, the cash-strapped city asked the Orange County Fire Department for a cost study. That study offers options with costs ranging from $4.4 million to $4.7 million a year.
Residents said using the county Fire Department could increase paramedics response time and homeowner fire insurance rates. And they fear the move would affect the city’s say on fire service costs.
“If this is turned over to the county, the city has completely lost control,” resident Jerry Sigler said. “This to me is a very big issue. I think (it would be) a big mistake to do this.”
City Manager Kevin O’Rourke said that Buena Park staff is preparing an updated cost analysis based on the county’s final proposal as to how much the city actually could save by switching to the county for fire services.
“We’re trying to see if the city can save money by regionalizing the (fire) service and perhaps improve service to our community,” O’Rourke said.
A second community meeting on the topic will be held at 6 p.m. April 18 in the City Council chambers. The City Council isn’t expected to make a decision until May.
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