READER’S EDITORIAL: FIRE CAPTAIN FLAMES RURAL FIREFIGHTERS

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By Claudia Millebragg

October 2, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – It saddened me to read the comments of San Diego Fire Captain Frank DeClercq which followed an article in the U-T San Diego September 24 titled Supervisor Jacob: Heed Authorities in Fire Area.

Captain DeClercq wrote, “Once again, Supevisor Jacob is in denial. The County of San Diego spends a mere $15 million dollars on fire protection while Orange and Los Angeles Counties spend $250 and $500 million dollars protecting their citizens. The City of San Diego taxpayers foot the bill to send City of San Diego firefighting crews to unincorporated  East County to extinguish their fire. Unbelievable!” He added, ““Having and showing off a patch does not make a fire department.”

Captain DeClercq must have been extremely stressed to make the comments he made. To me, he came across as non caring and angry. How could a fire captain be more concerned about costs of the Shockley fire than saving lives and property? Unbelievable, that his career choice that he chose would lead him to save lives and property? If the expense of the fire was his primary concern he should have become an accountant.

And why did he not know about the billing procedures in place for out of area fire fighting?

Captain DeClercq, how will you work with rural East County firefighters after you insulted them with your comments? Do they not risk their lives fighting fires just as your men do? How can you justify your comments?

It appears to me that you need some time to reflect on what is important in life to you. Come out to rural East County. We have lakes to fish, trails to hike and places that are filled with peace. Perhaps you will regain your humanity.

The opinions voiced in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

 


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Comments

Frank DeClercq

Could you provide a link to the comment by DeClerq? Was it in the UT?

 

Thanks

Tom

link

Tom, follow the link and allow a few minutes for the comments after the article to come up. It was in the UT.