Fire Service Cuts Should Be Rejected
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Re: “Fire Directors OK With Retooling Volunteers”; Feb. 7
Orange County Fire Authority Fire Chief Chip Prather is seeking authorization at the March 28 meeting of the Board of Directors to remove 17 fire engines and one ladder truck from service. Emergency response capabilities will be downgraded countywide and 254 volunteer firefighters no longer will get training and equipment to fight fires.
A consultant hired to assist in the authority’s restructuring outlines two options. The first option keeps volunteers as front-line fire suppression personnel. The second option, backed by Chief Prather, significantly reduces the volunteer role in firefighting.
The option being backed by Chief Prather would reduce fire-safety resources by approximately 18% but save approximately 1% of the annual budget.
No businessman would consider this draconian cut, and neither should the Orange County Fire Authority.
Russell Patterson
City of Villa Park
Council Member
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