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By Mary Moran
April 25, 2012 (Spring Valley)—Tonight at 6 p.m. the Board of Directors of the San Miguel Consolidated Fire District will vote on a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Cal-Fire to operate the fire district, which includes the communities of Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley, Jamul, Crest and parts of unincorporated La Mesa and El Cajon.
Fired-up San Miguel Fire District residents are urging the fire district to remain independent. Cal Fire is operated by the State of California. Residents have expressed deep concern over the nearly bankrupt State of California operating its fire district with its purported poor quality and lack of modern technology.
"We have important questions of the Board about the RFP: What cuts will be made to the Board in order to help bridge the financial gap? How about the administration? Do the firefighters want this? Have they been asked if they are also willing to take concessions?" said Debra Jordan, teacher, and concerned resident of the district, who will attend tonigh'ts meeting. "Cal Fire is operated by the state of California, the same organization that cuts money from our education budgets, and expects the local districts to make do. What happens if they do the same to Cal Fire? What guarantee do we have that our property, homes and families will be protected? I am really concerned at the lack of communication the community is receiving."
Cal Fire would charge the district a $1.2 million annual administration fee to operate the district, not including any additional costs which the State would bill the district at year- end. Cal Fire operating costs does not include maintaining, repairing and managing the existing district-owned real estate or equipment.
The Fire Board contends budget cuts are necessary due to a decrease in property tax revenues. However the Board recently rejected a San Miguel firefighters proposed contract that would save the district + $1.5 million annually.
The firefighters' rejected proposal included cutting costs 10% across the board in either pay or benefits for all firefighters, district personnel, as well as the fire board. The proposed contract would eliminate the existing Fire Chief position with a salary of $174,000 (not including benefits) and replace him with a new Fire Chief at a salary cap of $145,000 annually. Also eliminated would be the Public Information Officer (PIO) position at $84,000 annually (not including his soon-to-be lifetime full health benefits for him and his wife - after working five years), two Division Chief positions would be eliminated, and also cut would be the full health benefits the seven Fire Board members receive for themselves and their family for working part time - a savings of +$100,000 annually (retiring Fire Board member Larry Jackman will soon receive lifetime health benefits for he, his wife, and daughter until she is 26 years old.) Board members Blackberry data plan would be capped at $125 each telephone quarterly. Meeting stipend for the Fire Board would increase to $225 each meeting. In addition, all projects and programs, like the new training facility, would be reviewed and audited, and if financially viable, would be approved tp proceed. Nine Fire Fighter cadets will be paid minimum wage with no benefits in order to fill open positions. Over-time and holiday pay for Fire Fighters would be eliminated.
The above Fire Fighters proposal is similar to other fire districts, like Lakeside Fire who cut costs in order to save their fire services and balance their budget.
The San Miguel Consolidated Fire District has not sent out a mailing to its district residents concerning the Cal Fire RFP, nor tonights meeting. Tonights meeting noticification is not listed on the home page of SMFD website under "Board Meeting Information" like past meetings. www.smgfire.org
In anticipation of hundreds of concerned residents attending the meeting, the San Miguel Fire Board meeting will be held at Cuyamaca Community College starting at 6 p.m.
What: San Miguel Consolidated Fire District Board Meeting
Date: Wednesday, April 25th
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Cuyamaca College, Student Center I, Rm 208/209 (closest parking in Lots 1 and 4)
Expect: Heated arguments from angry residents who are against the Cal Fire RFP.
SMFD telephone number is: (619) 670 0500
San Miguel Fire Board Members:
Chris Winters cwinter@smgfire.org Carrie Johnson kjohnston@smgfire.org
Dave Rickards drickards@smgfire.org Jeff Nelson jnelson@smgfire.org
Larry Jackman ljackman@smgfire.org Chriss Brainard cbrainard@smgfire.org
Rick Augustine raugustine@smgfire.org
Mary Moran is the wife of a San Miguel firefighter and a long-time East County resident. The opinions 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@eastcountymagaizne.org.
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