Sutter County Fire Chief: ‘We’re in dire straits’
A man had driven his vehicle into a tree at a high speed at
All that firefighter could do was hose down the flames to keep them away from the driver until, luckily, help from other agencies arrived. Personnel can't become more engaged than that unless there are two or more of them present.
The man left with burns but also with his life, Shalowitz said.
It's one example of how dire a situation the department is in, and how it affects more than just personnel.
Decades-old fire engines break down and are out of commission for months; pay isn't comparable to surrounding agencies; firefighters are leaving with back injuries and hernias at an extreme rate.
And by this time next year, the fund balance -- or "savings" account -- for Fire Protection District Service Area F (which includes the Sutter station, Live Oak station, and Oswald-Tudor station on
"We are in dire straits of our financial status," Shalowitz said. "The numbers don't lie ... the numbers are proof."
At the county's budget hearing Thursday, Shalowitz, board members and county administration made clear the situation is no secret, but county officials say their hands are tied as the service area isn't funded through the general fund.
While he is seeking grants for assistance with equipment and temporary staffing, Shalowitz said the department likely will need support from residents in the form of a special fire tax increase. And if that doesn't pass, closing fire stations is the next step.
"Without looking at the grandiose ideas of having
Funding
The department's 2017-18 fiscal year budget totaled
So, for every
Salaries and benefits make up most of the expenses.
Shalowitz said the special fire tax went into effect in 1997 without an inflation factor, and has not been increased since.
"I think it's very important that we stress that the budget that's currently there is not a spending problem," Shalowitz said during the budget hearing, "we just have a fiscal problem that we have not been able to overcome and its progressively getting worse, and now we're seeing the end of that."
And what's really hurting the department, Shalowitz said, is workers compensation costs. In 2015, the department spent
County Administrative Officer
"We don't have offsetting revenue; it's really a math issue," Mitnick said. "I don't have any money lying around."
Mitnick said it's also rare to have a county fire department in the first place:
Staffing, equipment
Because at any given time there's only one firefighter, responding to calls is a challenge.
Because of
a 4.
"If we had staffing and more equipment, our ratings would be better, which would save the public on every insured property," Jean said.
He too noted a rise in injuries because firefighters are responding to calls alone. While they can't enter a building, a firefighter can pull the hose and water from the outside, he said. Lifting patients and carrying a fire hose takes a toll on their bodies.
An "aged and ailing" fleet is another problem, Shalowitz said, with an annual cost of repairs around
The first-out pumper engine at the Live Oak station is a 1990 model, and the frontline service engine at the Sutter station is actually a 2002 reserve -- or backup -- not designed to be the main engine, Jean said. There are no reserve engines, so if another breaks down they will have to turn to a water tender, which isn't designed for vehicle or structure fires.
The department has two refurbished wildland trucks from 1978 and 1990, and bought two newer ones in the early 2000s.
"Most firefighters are younger than our equipment," Jean said.
Fight to stay open
Shalowitz said his immediate needs include funding four positions (at
Jean said the deficiencies within the department have affected personnel: injuries, low morale and the workload stress not only affect the firefighters, but make recruiting a difficult task.
"I would say that if any other agency was running this way, the responsibility shouldn't lie with the employees, it should rely on the county to take responsibility," Jean said. "The county demands better, they deserve better. But the employees also deserve better."
Mitnick agrees, saying personnel should be making substantially more money than they do. But with its own financial woes, the county contends it can't do much more than help in the process of seeking alternative funding.
"He's right, there's a challenge," Mitnick said. "We're looking at the mountain with them."
Shalowitz said he's appreciative of the volunteers and the automatic and mutual aid from other agencies, but the county as a whole -- management and constituents -- needs to take a deep look at public services and make sure infrastructure is up to par with neighboring agencies.
Shalowitz said although residents won't like the idea of a special fire tax increase (and they don't do well on the ballot, he added), the cost increase covers only what he's asking for, which is two personnel on an engine and updated vehicles. After working with a consultant, he plans to host public meetings so the community is aware of the situation and the next steps.
"The word is dire," he said of the situation. "Trying to make it work and trying to be fiscally responsible hasn't worked, which is why we're turning to the public for support."
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