San Gabriel Valley : IT’S A DEAL
Covina gets a fire ladder truck and crew; in return, West Covina, its bigger neighbor to the south, gets an urban search and rescue team and other bonuses.
Seeking to improve public safety and save dwindling funds, the neighboring cities of Covina and West Covina are teaming up on fire services.
Under the agreement, the West Covina Fire Department will provide Covina with its first ladder truck and crew, a service that helps firefighters reach rooftops and tall buildings.
In return, Covina will pay $250,000 annually to West Covina and provide its neighbor with $100,000 in services, including an urban search and rescue unit, fire instructors and animal control.
Covina Fire Chief Ken Lavoie said the agreement helps both cities.
“We don’t have $1 million to put a ladder truck company in service, but we need one,” he said.
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