Union Seeks Merger With County Fire Department

The city’s Fire Department is trying to become the latest San Gabriel Valley fire agency to be taken over by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

With neighboring Covina merging its Fire Department with the county last week, West Covina is encircled by cities that have disbanded their local fire departments and converted to the county.

The West Covina department’s union is circulating petitions to put the issue of a merger to the voters in a special election and plans to submit qualifying paperwork to city officials this week, said Frank Caterinicchio, a political consultant working with the union.

“The firefighters feel it’s important for the citizens to at least have an opportunity to vote for this,” Caterinicchio said. The union argues that the city will save money and receive better service if it switches to the county.

But West Covina Fire Chief Richard Greene said the merger is not necessary.

“There’s no advantage of going to the county for any type of protection,” he said. “We provide, I think, a very high level of service to the community.”