County taking over City FDS

[TM]

Out here in the County of Los Angles most citys operate there own Fire Departments in addtion to the County Fire Department whihc operates in the unincorpoarted areas. Well some cities are falling on hard times money wise and instead of staff cuts in the Fire Department city's like Lynwood CA our disbanding there FDS and swithcing to LACoFD. Is this still an effective way to deliver the various services that a Fire Department provides.

[phxfyr]

This could be a great opportunity for the firefighters and a hugh money saver for the community! Consider: (1)LACoFD will purchase items like equipment, apparatus, and supplies in bulk. This usually reduces the cost per item. (2)The city will get more department for the buck! There may be only one engine assigned to a small community in LACo but the entire LACoFD is available for an incident. No longer do they need to supply there own hazmat team, or technical rescue team, or USAR! Cost savings! (3)Firefifghter that transfer to the LACoFD get more opportunity to promote or lateral into special operations divisions that may not be available in a small department.

Many communities are consolidation their services in order to reduce cost and improve customer service. Change is nothing to fear. This could be a wonderful opportunity for you and a great savings for your community.

Good luck!

[jalbritt]

I agree with phxfr. We did it in Sarasota County, Florida and its working fine. John H. Albritton

[fjbfour]

Same principle applies to larger cities assuming fire protection over smaller adjacent towns and villages.

Tacoma, WA (pop 180,000) within the past couple of years assumed coverage of Fircrest (pop 24,000) and Fife (pop 4,000). Suddenly both towns went from paid/volunteer and a couple of pieces of apparatus each to being part of an extensive full-time system with 17 engines, 5 ladders, 4 ALS ambulances, and a host of special duty rigs under one integrated command infrastructure.

Money savings and increased service for everyone, even Tacoma benefits from having a few more stations strategically located from the "merger". For the citizen, it is an all-win situation.

------------------
Frank Billington, #11
Town of Superior Fire Online
Opinions expressed here are not necessarily that of Town of Superior Fire.