Escondido Facing Changes to Fire Department Staffing
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As advocates for the citizens of Escondido and in the wake of two of the biggest fires in Escondido's history, the Paramount Condominium fire and Witch Creek fire, it has become necessary for The Escondido Firefighters Association to inform the public of proposed fire department staffing changes that may reduce the safety of both the public and firefighters.
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The Escondido Firefighters Association is not seeking increases in salary, benefits or compensation but hopes only to inform the public of the potentially dangerous fire department staffing changes being proposed by the city.
Facts/History
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In 2004, voters approved Proposition P, an $84,000,000 dollar bond measure that included the construction of a Police/Fire Administration building, 2 new fire stations and the reconstruction of 2 existing fire stations.
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The construction of the new fire stations makes it necessary for one additional fire engine to be placed in to service.
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Placing a new fire engine in to service would require hiring 9 new firefighters to maintain what the Escondido Firefighter's Association believes to be adequate.
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Citing budget constraints, the City of Escondido has proposed to NOT hire the 9 firefighters necessary to staff the new fire engine but instead staff the new engine with existing personnel, essentially "thinning out" the department by reducing resource density.
How Staffing Changes Will Be Made
In order to staff the new fire engine being placed in to service, the city has proposed the following:
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Permanently removing one person from the Ladder Truck each day. Currently, the Ladder Truck is staffed by 4 firefighters. Click here to learn exactly what a ladder truck does and how reduced staffing may affect you.
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Reducing the number of Paramedics on some of the ambulances and eliminating one ambulance that is staffed 12 hours each day. Click here to learn more about the city's ambulance service and how changes to it may affect you.
It is the belief of the Escondido Firefighters Association that these proposed Fire Department staffing changes will significantly reduce the ability of firefighters to adequately protect the community in the event of wildfires, structure fires, vehicle accidents and medical emergencies.
What Can You Do
The Escondido Firefighters Association needs your help to keep our community safe. Please contact your local officials and let them know that you oppose the decision to not hire the 9 firefighters needed to keep staffing level at what the Escondido Firefighter's Association believes to already be the absolute minimum to adequately protect the community and its citizens.
Contact Information
Phone Numbers
City Mayor's Office (760) 839-4610
City Council's Office (760) 839-4638
City Manager's Office (760) 839-4631
Lori Holt Pfeiler
Mayor
lpfeiler@escondido.org
Sam Abed
Mayor Pro Tem
sabed@escondido.org
Ed Gallo
Council Member
egallo@escondido.org
Marie Waldron
Council Member
mwaldron@escondido.org
Cly Phillips
City Manager
cphillips@escondido.org
Vic Reed
Fire Chief
vreed@escondido.org
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