Modesto Firefighters Facing Engine Company Closures

Modesto Mayor Jim Ridenour’s plan to shrink an $8.7 million budget gap includes a proposal to temporarily shut down a fire company when firefighters miss work instead of using overtime to keep the city’s 10 stations running at full force.

That change would save Modesto $400,000. It would lead to reductions in staffing 70 percent of the time from December through July at one of two fire stations.

It’s part of a slate of budget cuts Ridenour is sending to the City Council’s Finance Committee on Monday. He’s proposing $5.2 million in spending reductions and efforts to collect about $1.5 million in new revenue.

The package does not include revenue from the tax-sharing agreement the city approved for General Petroleum on Sept. 9, or from two similar deals for Modesto fuel distributors that are scheduled to appear before the council Tuesday night.

The mayor’s proposal won’t go into effect unless the City Council approves it. And there’s a chance Ridenour will propose more spending cuts before the city’s budget year ends in June to protect reserves.

“By the end of the year, we’ll be where we need to be even if I have to come in again,” he said.

The mayor also wants to save $100,000 by reducing trash pickups in city parks to twice a week instead of three times. Another budget cut calls for the city to eliminate part-time positions, saving $213,000.

The two fire stations that could be affected by the staffing reductions are:

Station No. 1 on 11th Street, which could lose Engine No. 21 at times. The company is the first responder to calls in the airport neighborhood.

Or Station No. 11 at Carver Road and Pelandale Avenue could give up a rescue truck.

Fire Chief Jim Miguel said the department would choose between the two companies based on risk to residents.

“We know where it’s likely to have the least impact,” he said.

Stretching the system

The Modesto City Firefighters Association is participating in discussions about how to implement the brownout.

“By reducing that company downtown, it’s going to stretch the system even further than it’s already been stretched,” said Cecil Ridge, the union’s president.

The Fire Department shut its station at the Modesto Airport this summer. The move was targeted at saving money, but it wasn’t possible until the airport lost its commercial flights to Los Angeles. That gave the city more room to reassign those firefighters.

“These are difficult times that cause difficult, unpalatable decisions,” Ridge said.

West Coast 911 firefighter news story source - Written by The Modesto Bee