NORTH CENTRAL PONDERS CONTRACTING FOR FIRE SERVICES
KERMAN, JAN. 11 - Last Wednesday evening North Central Fire Protection district took a look at two proposals to provide fire protection for the sprawling district, which covers a 250 square mile chunk of north-central Fresno County, including Kerman, Biola and parts of northwest Fresno.
North Central, formed in 1945, claimed seven stations and more than 60 personnel at it’s greatest extent, about a quarter century ago. But has Fresno has expanded to the north west, annexing land formerly in North Central, property tax revenues have dropped. Today the district counts only five stations, and about 40-odd personnel.
And when North Central loses it’s last stations in the high-rent Fresno area, it will see revenues drop by over 40%, a situation which could mean the district would be unable to go on, say some board members.
"This is a very important issue, which needs to be addressed," said NCFD Chief Lonnie Downs.
In order to stave off such a result the district has been considering the idea of ‘contracting out’ for fire services protection. It is hoped that this will result in enough savings in resources and administration to stabilize North Central’s finances.
Some of the main concerns about the idea have been that service levels remain the same, that North Central firefighters retain their jobs, salary levels and seniority, and that the North Central board retains political and financial control over the district.
Paramedic service, provided by Fresno County through a contract with American Ambulance, would not be affected.
Taxes would not be affected by a contract, it was indicated.
Two area fire departments have submitted proposals for the North Central board to consider.
The first is from the Fresno County Fire Protection District (a part of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection). On hand to talk about the proposal was Chief Ted Mendoza. He stressed the amount of resources available to his department, as part of a state-wide fire-fighting outfit. The CDF can marshal hundreds of pieces of equipment and over 40,000 employees, he said. The CDF provides firefighting services under contract with 130 cities in California, he said.
"We can give you outstanding service, and pledge local control," Mendoza said.
Fresno County Fire offered several scenarios with it’s offer, ranging in cost from $4.7 million to $6.7 million, depending upon the level of service requested.
Outlining the case for Fresno Fire Dept.’s offer was Chief Randy Bruegman. He also had a proposal with different options, and a price tag ranging from about $4.2 million to $5.3 million.
Bruegman said his proposal highlighted response times, and "putting bodies on the fire." He said his goal was to be able to attack a residential fire with 15 or 16 firefighters.
In addition, "geography is on our side" in the north west Fresno area, Bruegman said. He noted that Fresno City Fire already has stations in the area, whereas Fresno County would have to respond backup units (for station coverage when North Central fire engines are called out) from as far away as Clovis.
Several local commentators spoke during the evening. Kerman Mayor Ken Moore said the City is concerned with enhanced service and with better equipment - in particular a ‘ladder’ fire engine, so buildings in Kerman can be built to more than two stories.
He went on to say that he hopes the area would not lose experienced firefighters, that he would not like to see North Central become little more than a "training ground" for firefighters.
Fresno County Supervisor Phil Larson (Dist. 1, the Westside) was also on hand. He said that contracting for service would agree with a recommendation made by a Fresno County public safety committee, which recommended consolidation of fire and police services. "It’s an economic necessity," he said.
A couple from the northwest Fresno area expressed surprise that they had to drive out to Kerman to discuss their ‘local,’ fire protection. "What leads you to believe (addressing Fresno County Fire Chief Mendoza) your trucks will get to my house faster than Fresno City’s?" asked Mark Babcock.
And in response to comments during the evening that North Central’s identity would be preserved in the contracts, the couple indicated that speed and strength of response during an emergency was their primary concern - they had little interest in whose name would be on the fire engine doors.
The North Central Firefighters association threw its support behind the Fresno Fire Dept. offer.
There was also detailed discussion about which stations might be closed, how many firefighters might be stationed in various locations, and response times.
Thrown into the mix is the problem that the "Instant Aid" agreement between Fresno City Fire and North Central Fire is coming up for renewal in July. Often one department, or both, will complain that under such an agreement they are spending too much of their resourses fighting fires in someone else’s territory.
Last weeks meeting was informational, and no action was taken. The North Central board will take the matter up again at its next meeting, Jan. 25.