The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District is mailing out a two-page flyer this week where they are asking the public for input on whether or not to move forward with a $98 parcel tax in June. The flyer will be arriving in the mail later this week and they need responses before February 28 either via mail or online.
The flyer was produced after Local 1230 presented their polling of 300 likely voters to the Board earlier this month that highlighted a parcel tax only had 54% support–13% points behind the 66.6% threshold needed to pass a tax. The Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County are now asking the Board to spend their time on other solutions instead of going forward with a tax.
The flyer itself has done a change up from the past where they focused on fire response to now calling it a “9-1-1 Emergency Response” measure and removing fire from headline. While I understand firefighters do more than fight fires, the change up now sends mixed messages to potential voters who are used to hearing the discussion over fire service, not 9-1-1 responses. There is also the issue that there are no photographs of ECCFPD staff or any examples firefighters actually fighting a fire.
The District will vote on March 3 whether or not to move forward with a $98 parcel tax. Here is a look at the flyer which you can click to enlarge. We have also included the text in case its too small for one to read.
Text from Side 1
Critical grant funding supporting 9-1-1 emergency services in East County expires this year. Fire stations will close, the number of on-duty firefighters and EMTs will be reduced by 40% and emergency response times will increase.
We have some tough choices ahead and we need to hear from you. Please read the enclosed information and return the survey by February 28th or complete it online at www.eccfpd.org by March 3rd.
You may also return the survey to your local fire station and ask questions of the firefighters and EMTs serving your community.
The Clock Is Ticking
A temporary federal grant that keeps 2 of our local fire stations open everyday is set to expire on November 17, 2014. The grant cannot be renewed or extended.
Our firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) have reduced their take-home salaries by up to 25% by contributing larger portions to their pensions. Our local East County firefighters and EMTs are paid 40% less than those in nearby fire departments.
The Fire District Board of Directors has made substantial budget cuts and has evaluated all options for funding. Unless new revenue is secured between now and November, 2 local fire stations must close and 18 firefighters and EMTs will be laid off. This would leave 249 square miles in East County with just 3 fire stations and 9 on-duty firefighters and EMTs to keep us safe.
Important Background Every East County Resident Should Know
In 2008 we had 8 fire stations protecting East County. Then the recession hit. Home values plummeted and, along with them, property tax revenues that support fire and emergency medical response dropped by 40%. We simply couldn’t afford business as usual and quick action was needed.
5 fire stations were closed, but 2 were temporarily reopened thanks to a federal grant that is now set to expire in November. After November of this year, we may only be able to fund 3 fire stations. We have great firefighters and EMTs, but trying to serve 249 square miles and 105,000 residents in East County with just 3 fire stations and 9 first responders on duty, puts our safety at risk.
A Quick Response to Economic Disaster
Our local fire agency took these immediate steps to cut costs while protecting essential lifesaving services:
- 3 fire stations closed
- Salaries frozen
- Administration cut to the minimum
- Firefighters and EMTs pay larger portion of own pension costs
- Surplus equipment sold
Responding to Multiple Emergencies
In July 2012, the District had 3 open and functioning fire stations, just like we may have in November when our federal grant expires.
On the afternoon of July 5 at 3:57 PM, a 9-1-1 emergency medical call was received in Oakley. 4 minutes later a crew was dispatched to investigate smoke and a potential fire on Holland tract.
At 4:18 PM a grass fire burning into homes was reported in Brentwood. The crews responding to the calls in Oakley and Holland tract were diverted to assist in protecting 7 homes that were threatened by the grass fire.
All 3 crews were still on scene of the fire in Brentwood 7:26 PM, when a reported grass fire/structure fire was reported in the Bethel Island area. All 3 engines were diverted from Brentwood to the new incident, where they worked to contain the fire by 9:37 PM.
From 4 PM to 9:30 PM that day, communities throughout East County were left without any firefighters or EMTs to respond to urgent 9-1-1 emergency calls.
Seconds Count
If 2 more fire stations close this year and we lose 40% of the firefighters and EMTs currently serving East County, 9-1-1 EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES TO PORTIONS OF EAST COUNTY COULD INCREASE TO 15 MINUTES OR MORE. For victims of heart attacks, strokes, accidents and other medical emergencies, permanent brain damage can occur in as little as 4 minutes and brain death in as little as 8 minutes.
A Local Funding Solution
Only 2 options remain: close fire stations and increase response times – OR – raise revenue to replace grant funding expiring later this year. To raise locally controlled revenue specifically for fire and emergency medical response, our local fire agency is considering placing a 9-1-1 Emergency Response Measure on the ballot this year. If approved by local voters, funds from this measure would be used to:
- Preserve 9-1-1 emergency response times
- Keep local fire stations open
- Maintain the number of on-duty firefighters and EMTs
- Maintain the ability to respond to multiple 9-1-1 emergencies
What is your safety worth?
Keeping 9-1-1 emergency response services alive in East County comes at a price. Sustaining current service levels would cost property owners approximately $98 per year. This equates to 27¢ cents a day. These funds would be locally controlled and could only be used to preserve 9-1-1 emergency response times, keep local fire stations open and keep firefighters and EMTs on duty in East County.
Mandatory Fiscal Accountability
A 9-1-1 Emergency Response Measure would require:
- All funds to stay in East County
- No funds could be taken by the State or other agencies
- Mandatory annual audits and reports to the community
- No funds could be used for administrative costs or administrator salaries
- An independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee to ensure funds are spent as promised
Survey:
Residents are being asked to rate each item on a scale of 5-1: 5=very important and 1=not important
- Preserving 9-1-1 response times to medical emergencies and accidents
- Maintaining the ability to respond to multiple 9-1-1 emergencies at once
- Keeping 5 fire stations open in East County
- Maintaining the number on-duty firefighters and EMTs
- Maintaining response levels for house fires and other structure fires
- Maintaining a response level for grass and wild fires.
Finally, the District asks to check the option below that most closely represents your opinion:
- I would pay $98 per (27 cents per day) to maintain current 9-1-1 emergency response levels and 5 fire stations serving East County
- I would pay more for enhances 9-1-1 emergency response
- I would pay less for reduced 9-1-1 emergency response and believe we should close 2 local fire stations and layoff firefighters and EMT’s.
11 comments
We all know, if there was a new tax, the first place the money would go to would pension plans and paying for unless(YES USELESS) middle management.
@Joe,
I can make the argument that the reverse is true and the District needs more “middle management” which in this case is BC’s. When there is an incident, a BC responds, while he is tied up, then what? You are relying on either Chief Henderson as backup or hoping BC 8 is available?
There is no middle management problem as you claim. In fact, please further explain why you see their is a problem.
And therein lies the problem.
Trying to explain reality to clueless voters like “Joe” here.
The District is going to have to endure a meltdown. Just too many ignorant people who have read Contra Costa Times headline and can’t think for themselves.
Joe, there is no middle management in ECCFPD. But fixing stupid is a tall order around here and there just isn’t enough time before this District drops to 3 stations. Then people like you will have to find a new scapegoat to complain about.
I have every confidence you will do just that.
No need to waste a stamp.
-The district has a permanent, long term revenue problem. A “patch” is not what is needed. A funding tax that brings the department on par with the rest of the county and surrounding areas for adequate service is a necessity. It is a “need to have” not a “nice to have”.
-The 5 year sunset is ridiculous and falls short of a realistic goal. This is based on the monumental costs associated with elections. The district does not have 100′s of thousands of dollars available spend on more elections. At a minimum, a 7 to 10 year sunset would be reasonable and most surely would have to be renewed. The problem is not going away.
-I refuse to vote for a tax simply because it meets an arbitrary figure that is claimed more palatable to some voters. This lower amount is no bargain and will put us in a worse position 5 years down the line.
-I will not vote for or support a tax that falls short of what is required to provide a base level of emergency service and leaves fire stations closed and communities without initial protection.
The recent “plan” is a day late and a hundred dollars short. The ECCFPD is not only in disarray, but lacks focus, a solid plan, and most importantly is missing a team approach that everyone can get behind.
The proposed tax is unfortunately already doomed to failure. It may have had a chance IF the district directors and firefighters, had begun with an educational campaign (at least a year in advance) demonstrating why the district has a shortfall of revenue due to a low allocation of property tax. Inclusive of a realistic amount of cost necessary to re-open closed stations in all communities could secure voters from Byron/Discovery Bay, Bethel Island and other affected areas. *Ask yourself, why would they vote for a tax no matter what the amount when their stations remain shuttered.
For a tax to succeed at the ballot box, 2/3 (66 percent) is needed. The latest direction no doubt alienates additional voters and draws a larger margin of failure.
I will not put good money behind a bad plan.
Spend time–at least a year–not a few months, educating the public. Put a solid funding plan back on the table that reopens stations and provides east county with the emergency services that it requires. Most importantly, get as many people, groups, agencies on the same page. (Right now, I see none of that taking place, and it is far too late to census build). If it fails, then at least you know you did everything you could to make the department function. It is the right thing to do.
If the tax were to pass (it will not) it would lock us in to substandard service (just like we have under the current prop. 13 allocations). The only way we get back on track is for real leadership, education of the public, and the proper funding of the district. For the public to understand this, they need skin in the game. Closing more stations (soon) is the only way to bringing public awareness in the short term. Putting a bandaid assessment out only makes a bad situation worse and smacks of mediocrity on the board.
This has nothing to do with pensions, cops, volunteers or ems. This is about timing and education. The public obviously needs to experience dialing 911 in an emergency and hearing a recording; “The number that you have dialed is no longer in service. If you believe you have dialed this number in error, please hang up and dial again”. We need to see our HO/fire insurance double, triple and quadruple! That should get our attention. That should give us “skin in the game”. Until then we are just beating a dead horse.
Then and only then will we realize the need for adequate funding.
If the tax is put forward the tax will fail.
Agreed!
It is good to see the ‘fire district’ morphing their message into 9-1-1 Emergency Response. This certainly represents the reality of the service they, along with police, CHP, SO, AMR, and heli-transport, Emergency Rooms, trauma centers, and even private citizens with mobile defribullaters provide.
Hopefully this shows a desire on the district’s part to bring together the county and these service providers into a discussion of how 9-1-1 Emergency Response can be more efficiently provided throughout the county.
By now everyone knows that fire protection service represent a minority of overall services performed by county fire districts and that a majority of these services are also provided by non-firefighters under certain circumstances. By working together the experts can find more efficient and economical way of providing even better service that properly prioritizes things like deployment speed of EMS vs. ALS vs. Fire fighting and value propositions of ER vs. Trauma Center facilities spread throughout the county.
This is a COUNTY issue, not just a ECCFPD issue. It’s good to see signs that concept is gaining wider acceptance because that is where the solution is.
Did you just wake up? These discussions have been going on for years in ConFire. There is a Fitch study that was discussed as recently as two days ago in the propaganda rag that is known as the CCTimes if you need further evidence.
You might want to note the folks of San Ramon, Lafayette, Kensington and Richmond, among others, would probably not agree with your countywide view. So unless you intend to ignore their place at the table in this global view of yours, I think you’re a bit ahead of yourself. Those are stand alone districts with their own governing bodies. The BoS doesn’t have the authority to run roughshod over them to suit your whims.
I love how this is devolving, all in the interest of saving just a few dollars. Now we’re adding citizen yahoos with defibs, apparently roaming the county and just waiting for the pager to go off to come rushing to your house to wire you up. I hope your personal liability insurance is both hefty and current when you show up at my place.
People are absolutely losing their minds and all semblance of common sense and for what? Because somehow they got it in their head that you can lock in a 40 year old funding model for a vital public safety service and it won’t blow up on you.
I’m losing faith in the intelligence of the average American voter.
I would not normally respond to this person, but it is important that some of the misinformation be corrected.
It’s one thing to accuse people with differing opinions of being yahoos, just waking up, and losing their minds, It is another thing to insinuate that the public being trained in the use of CPR and the use of defibs are doing so at their own financial risk. Such scare tactics are wrong because it is not only incorrect, but dangerous.
The fact is that Good Samaritan laws protect those attempting to provide emergency help to those in need, and this includes defib.
Here’s more info: http://cchealth.org/ems/aed.php
There is also an app called “PulsePoint” with which the County and fire district participate that provides immediate notification of GPS based 9-1-1 emergency CPR/AED calls along with the nearest public difib unit. The more of us that are trained and certified in CPR/AED and use this app, the more lives will be saved. Please, download the app and get trained.
I’m not seeing a lot of people running out and spending $1200-$1500 on an AED.
I also see myself not counting on a lot of people springing out of bed at 3:30 AM, running out to their car and being at my elderly neighbors doorstep several minutes later because their iPhone said someone was having a medical emergency.
Now lets not forget about broken hips from falls, anaphylatic shock, asthma attacks, vehicle rollovers with entrapment and everything else professional first responders are trained to respond to.
The citizen responder model is great for those incidents that occur in Costco or some other public place where an AED has been acquired but it is only a stop gap measure while 911 is being dialed and a reliable, professional response is being executed.
I’ve got nothing against folks stepping up and helping those in dire need, whether its a witnessed heart attack or a vehicle accident, but its not even close to the help that you’re going to need after the first 2-3 minutes pass.
With a seven minute response it really does not matter Walker.
Taxed Man,
Looks like you missed the point. Figures….
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