HUNTINGTON BEACH : Firefighters Battle Planned Cutbacks

Firefighters plan to mail out about 5,500 flyers this week to inform city residents about proposed cuts in the Fire Department.

“It will be our attempt to make the public aware of cuts and the drop in the level of service,” said Huntington Beach Firefighter’s Assn. President Tom Faye.

Eliminating seven positions and changing the way the city delivers paramedic services are under consideration as part of the plan to balance next fiscal year’s budget.

The plan calls for a $410,000 reduction that would bring the department’s budget to $15.65 million for fiscal 1994-95, Fire Chief Michael P. Dolder said.

Under the proposal, six firefighter positions and a non-safety storekeeper position, all currently vacant, would be cut. The department’s reorganization plan also would replace paramedic vans with more paramedic engine companies.

In a letter to the City Council, the firefighter’s association said it “vigorously opposes” any reductions.

Dolder said that three of the eliminated firefighter positions would be refilled in April, 1995, with new hires. Three existing firefighters would be trained as paramedics.

By Oct. 1, 1995, a seventh paramedic engine will be added to the department, so that each of the city’s seven fire stations will be equipped with paramedic service and four-person engine companies.

Faye said the proposed reductions would lessen service to residents and jeopardize employees’ safety.

“No matter what concept the fire chief would have given the council, if it’s a cut in what were doing today, we would have opposed it.

“Our concern is of service to the community and firefighters’ safety,” Faye added. “In a profession like ours, your safety definitely counts on the number of people you have on scene on a call.”

Dolder, however, said the major benefit of the change is that it increases paramedic response to the community. Last year, for instance, about 64% of the department’s responses were for medical emergencies.

A change in department staffing would require the city to negotiate with the association, Dolder said.

Public hearings on the budget are scheduled Sept. 6 and 19. The council is expected to adopt the new budget by Sept. 30.