Hey,
San Carlos (California), like too many communities in the USA, have been trying to find a way to “cut” their fire department costs. So often, communities woefully forget that the cost cutting may very significantly and negatively affect emergency services. Well, in this California city, they have now received a last-minute bid from a for-profit company that claims it can save the city millions of dollars and they “claim” they will do a better job than the current fire department.
The for-profit fire and emergency services company says it can save San Carlos millions of dollars and potentially put more firefighters on the street if the city accepts a 10-year contract to provide service once the joint Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department disbands in October. Wackenhut Services Inc submitted a 48-page proposal on Friday and says it offers “high-end fire-rescue services.”
For a first-year cost of $4 million, the company says it could match San Carlos’ staffing level of 20 people, including a fire chief. That would allow for a minimum of three firefighters at the city’s two stations. For a first-year cost of $4.6 million — or $2.5 million less than what the city pays now — Wackenhut says it could provide a staff of 22, enough to cover both fire stations with a minimum of four people. The company also guarantees that in 10 years, the 22-person staffing option would cost no more than $5.4 million annually.
Wackenhut has also offered to give the city a 6 percent annual rebate if it doesn’t meet agreed-to performance standards. In an effort to keep things as they are, the city’s Firefighters have offered 10 percent pay cuts, according to a recent letter from Ed Hawkins, President IAFF Local 2400.
Wow, lot’s of questions on this one. As we are all well very aware, the current political environment in many areas is ripe for this type of consideration. If any of us think that other cities, districts, villages and townships around the North America are not actively looking at options or being approached with similar proposals by for-profit companies, proposals that, in many cases excite those “who wanna save money and cut taxes no matter what” – we are be asleep at the wheel.
HERE IS MUCH MORE:
http://tinyurl.com/6h7flbl (Media)
http://tinyurl.com/3n9pqeu (Media)
http://www.bscfd.org (FD Website)
http://www.iaff2400.org (Local Website)
CALIFORNIA FOREST SERVICE FF DOWN-CPR
A Forest Service FF in San Jacinto, Keenwild Station, California was engaged in PT with fellow crew members this morning. When re-grouping to start the hike back to the station, the employee collapsed. EMT personnel at scene immediately initiated care of the employee and administered CPR. The Crew Boss established communication with Forest dispatch and initiated a full medical response to his location. The patient was transported via stokes litter basket to the Keenwild helibase. The local paramedic ambulance crew met the patient and took over patient care until the arrival of a medivac helicopter. Care was then transferred from the paramedics to the medivac nurse and patient was transferred to Desert Memorial Hospital in Palm Springs for further diagnosis and treatment. We wish the FF a rapid recovery.
POSITIVE NEWS FROM BOSTON: 1000 FF’s TESTED, ONLY 2 FAIL
Since the Boston launched random drug testing of Firefighters last fall, 57 percent of the Fire Department’s union members have been tested, and only two have failed. The department said a total of 1,053 tests have been conducted since September 2010 when the random testing began following a long struggle between City Hall and the firefighters union, Local 718. Both Firefighters who failed were given 30-day unpaid suspensions and directed into the Employee Assistance Program.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/04/only_two_boston.html
SHOTS FIRED AT ALASKA FIREFIGHTER
A Fort Wainwright soldier is being investigated for shooting at a Firefighter with a pellet gun. 4 soldiers reportedly pulled up in a vehicle alongside the Firefighter, who was running near a road on the post last week, and fired the gun. The Firefighter was hit by the pellets twice in the back and elbow, but not seriously injured. He is a Firefighter with the Alaska Fire Service at Fort Wainwright. The soldiers were apprehended by gate guards who were looking for the car. The suspects were questioned by Fort Wainwright authorities and released and the issue was handed over to the soldiers’ chain of command.
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List 4-5-11 / 1803 Hours
www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com
