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BUENA PARK : Fire Service Contract Proposal Debated

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A proposal to contract for fire services with the Orange County Fire Department heated up Monday when residents and one City Council member opposed the merger while firefighters and others gave their support.

“I urge you, don’t back us into a corner. We want to keep our Fire Department,” said Terry Longacre, a 24-year resident, during the council meeting.

Longacre, one of a dozen people who addressed the council on the proposal, said a petition drive is underway and a court injunction will be sought to block the city from contracting for fire services with the county. He also warned that there would be a recall of the council if the Fire Department is consolidated with the county’s.

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On the other side, Walter Albright, a 38-year resident, spoke in favor of the proposal. “The paramedic service would be better than at the present time or in the future,” he said.

David C. Dorn, president of the Buena Park Firemen’s Assn., said that union members endorse a consolidation with the county and that the move would save the city money.

The county’s proposal would eliminate one of the city’s four engine companies. The proposal would cost the city $4.7 million a year and would add a fourth firefighter to a truck company, which has aerial and rescue equipment. The council is expected to make a decision May 16.

If a contract is signed, the county would absorb all 59 of the city’s fire prevention and suppression employees. However, two clerical positions are not included in the county’s proposal.

Council members also had their chance to comment on the proposal, and the majority said they were wrestling with what would be the best decision for the community.

Councilman Don R. Griffin was the lone member against the merger and appealed to his colleagues not to sign a contract with the county.

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Griffin said a merger with the county is an “irreversible decision” and would cause losses of service and of local control on fire service costs.

“The proposal does not solve our financial problems,” Griffin said. He said the city would save only about $188,000 the first year.

A recent cost analysis by the Finance Department showed a one-year savings of $354,000, but Mayor Donald L. Bone said he believes the savings would be much higher--about $500,000 the first year.

Councilman Arthur C. Brown said he is leaning toward supporting the county proposal because the county could provide “equal if not better” fire protection services to Buena Park.

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