L.A. firefighter union posts signs on impact of budget cuts

 

The union representing Los Angeles firefighters is posting "danger" signs at firehouses where rescue units are being shut down due to strained city finances.

The signs began appearing at firehouses across the city over the weekend after the Los Angeles Fire Department began closing units to help cover a $59.5-million budget shortfall. Under the plan, 15 fire engines and six ambulances are being shut down each day on a rotating basis.

The union is also posting a "Weekly Brownout Alert" on its Website where the public can find out which rescue units are shut down. The post also has the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses for the City Council members representing the affected neighborhoods.

"We want to be very honest with the public about what's going on with their resources at their neighborhood stations," said Pat McOsker, president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, which represents more than 3,400 rank-and-file members of the department.

The department has also eliminated indefinitely three ambulances--in Sylmar, Hollywood and East Hollywood--as well as three slots for captains who supervise paramedics in the field.

City officials have said that closing down fire units is necessary to help resolve a staggering deficit. They note that no fire stations will be closed.

-- Robert J. Lopez

Photo: A sign is posted in front of Fire Station 63 in Venice. Credit: Robert J. Lopez / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Ken]

If they want to save fire service why doesn't the union accept a paycut for its members from $175K per year to say, $100K? And instead of retiring at age 50 with nearly full pay why don't they work until they are 60 or 65 like the private sector taxpayers they are implicitly accusing of being too cheap to volunteer even more tax increases to keep the gravy train going?

[City Worker]

I feel for the firefighters loss of income, but in fact these cuts are more about overtime abuse which has gone on for years than proper staffing.

It is very common for guys to call in sick or take extra days off so other guys can get overtime to work their shifts. There is an old saying "don't depend on the overtime, it may not always be there". Well now it's not and guys with second homes, boats, houses that were too expensive for their base salaries will have to contend with that. Perhaps they can do what other firemen do without all that overtime. Get a side job in construction, start a side business of some type.

You will survive and so will the public.