WESTMINSTER : County Fire Authority Assumes Emergency Service Duties

The County Fire Authority on Thursday became the city’s provider of fire and emergency services, after a federal judge denied a group of former firefighters’ further attempt to block the deal.

City and Orange County Fire Authority officials signed the $5.9-million-a-year contract late Wednesday, making Westminster the 19th city to contract for services. The move will save the city $1.8 million a year, officials said.

“This is a very good thing for Westminster,” City Manager Bill Smith said. “It’s been controversial, and there are those who disagree with this, but in time the wounds will heal.”

Under the contract, Westminster’s 74 firefighters are hired by the authority, and most will continue to work in the city, although the fire chief and three assistant chiefs will receive demotions, officials said.

The city had planned to begin the contract on July 1, but U.S. District Judge Richard A. Paez issued a temporary restraining order until a civil rights case filed against the city could be heard.

The lawsuit, which is scheduled for trial Tuesday, was brought in late 1994 by four firefighters who claim they were improperly fired last year amid allegations of payroll fraud.

Fearing liability as a result of the pending litigation, the Fire Authority withdrew its bid on July 9.

The following week, after Paez lifted the restraining order, the Fire Authority reinstated its offer to Westminster after city officials promised to pay any legal fees and judgments that might result from the lawsuit.

Paez denied a request for another restraining order on Wednesday, which allowed the contract to be signed.

The delays had thrown the city’s budget into disarray, and officials estimated the city was losing about $130,000 a month in anticipated savings.