My husband Steve currently works for Con Fire and is the fire inspector for the majority of East County. Previously, my husband was the fire chief at Onizuka AFB in Sunnyvale.
Typically, the majority of firefighters are very close-mouthed about the heroic things that they do every day. To them, it’s their job; they aren’t out there bragging and posing in front of the camera – they just want to get the job done and make sure that everyone is able to get out and get home safely to their loved ones.
As a spouse, I have on many occasions wanted to point out and jump up and down telling everyone about the fantastic and wonderful things that they do every day. My husband, the majority of the time, makes me sit down.
This time, with the future of ECCFPD in jeopardy, I wanted to take the time to tell you about a call that recently came into Station 54. Dean Miller and Bill Scott were two of the East County firefighters that responded. The call was for a “fainting” incident in the new Brentwood City Hall. Dean and Bill responded to the call over at City Hall, and when they arrived, the woman had not fainted, she was actually not breathing and had no pulse. Dean and Bill were able to resuscitate her and she was transported to a local hospital, where she was apparently released after two days.
If Measure S does not pass and Station 54 is closed, the chances are that this woman would not be checking out of the hospital within two days. The likelihood that this woman’s family would be planning a different kind of service would be the reality.
Honestly, I don’t think that these guys get enough credit for what they do every day. I hope that in your fire department series, you can take some time and mention these stories so that people stop and consider what station closures and response times really mean.
When your child is not breathing, or there is a serious accident, or stations get multiple calls … it matters.
I will now get off my soap box.
Jana Aubert
Brentwood
The often cited 70% are served by volunteers is deceptive. It fails to mention that more than 70% of the country is rural. In fact, according to new definitions used by the census bureau in 2010, 94% of the country is considered rural. I don't care how they do it in the sticks. I only care about how it's done in the now suburban East County where I live. Report after report points to the fact that in the long run we will pay more and probably suffer more losses under a volunteer type department. But you continue to ignore the experts.
Much of the rest of your post is nonsensical or simply repeats of tired talking points. You did not address the concerns raised over runaway workmans comp issues during your tenure or why we would not be right back in that mess with your plan. There is a reason no one in a position of authority listens to this silliness. You might want to take the hint. Maybe it's time to start thinking of the whole of East County instead of just yourself? Your closest station is one of those on the chopping block here.
If you ever want to know exactly how much money we take home or how much we are required EVERY month to put in to a pension that is mandatory per the county, I would be more than happy to show you my budget. (23% out of every MONTHLY paycheck, FYI he gets paid ONCE a month) I would also be more than happy to show you what 3% at 50 really means to my household. We wont walk away with 90% at 50 and neither did my dad who served for over 20 years for Sac Fire. What my dad did walk away with is deafness (as a Engineer), two blown knees, pulmonary edema (from toxic smoke) and a heart attack five years after retirement. I know that many of you commented on the "facts" that firefighters are not on the most dangerous jobs list, but as a person that is on the most dangerous jobs list - I wouldn't be the one running into a burning building or having the absolute heartache of dealing with children who are badly in need of help or who they aren't able to save.
These things tax my family - but we deal with it because this is the career that my husband is most passionate about. It's not a job to him, it is something he loves and has the deepest desire to do for the rest of his life.
So while as a Construction Worker, I drive to work every day and sit in my office trailer and deal with the jobs - I worry about my husband and my family and what he might do one day to save your family over mine.
And yes, AED should be in every building, every home and should be widely available. Even my jobsite has one.
In my earlier post I noted the following:
"Very impressive work by the fire fighters...they are awesome."
I point out the props I offered not to nit-pick with Ms. Aubert's statement that "none of you offered any props..." but to ask for everyone to allow some space before attacking those who offer opinions.
I don't support the tax measure but I do support the fire fighters. That's ok, right?
I believe we need other options presented and we need to look at public safety differently. I believe the Contra Costa County Grand Jury and the Contra Costa County Tax Payers Association made similar observations. Furthermore, I believe this tax measure will move us in the wrong direction.
The fire fighters are awesome. And without minimizing the respect I have for them, I think there are many other awesome people including school teachers, football coaches, engineers, farmers and moms and dads.
If this tax increase were the answer to our fire and public safety problems I would support it, but it is not -in my opinion.
I absolutely agree that open discourse regarding measure S needs to happen on both sides. Also that some kind of change needs to be implemented. I also respectfully agree to disagree with you on your stance on Measure S.
I also would state that you are not personally impacting the lives and/or pensions of the coaches, teacher, engineers and parents. That it does become a personal issue when it impacts the ability of my family to support itself in the future. And it's absolutely rational and acceptable for me to have personal feelings on this issue as it does impact my family.
Just as if an issue impacted closely the financial future of your family.
For me, the fact that the tax does not solve the financial problems of the district while it expands the services provided leads me to vote NO.
The firefighters are awesome. They and the public deserve better and I am afraid the best way to achieve that is by forcing a complete re-evaluation of the way these services are deployed.
Sadly a person gave the department props and you use this to jab them which is jabbing her as well. Very,very sad.
Workmans comp cases are unpredictable and in permanent disability cases taxpayers are on the hook for life. At least defined benefit pensions are less volitale and can be negotiated down over time. AEDs are a good idea. They are not a replacement. Nor is an army of citizen EMTs. Medical emergencies don't always happen in convenient places offering you the chance to be a hero by grabbing an AED.
Do you have any communications to show that the union pushed the paramedics program or is that purely opinion on your part? I've seen you say it several times now and wondered what is your source. Thanks.
Did you know that the contract from AMR with the county provides for AED's? Several of them to be spread out in the communities. It also includes training too! Your County Supervisors are aware of this but don't tell anyone because they would have to pay for the unit in order to save lives.
Call your county Supervisor or look at the AMR contract. Just another reason to vote no on S and get the supervisors to cut the cord of special interest union influence on them and do the right thing. We need an overhaul of fire and medical services in this county not more taxes.
It is financially irresponsible, however, to design a system with the goal of providing this sort of life support services by teams with big red fire trucks and top notch insurance and pension benefits.
More of us should learn to operate AEDs and provide CPR so that these crucial moments are not lost while waiting for a move-up from fire services. We will NEVER have enough fire services to cover all of these medical emergencies that all too often can be successfully addressed by normal people with less than 12 hours of training.
Either way (firefighter or trained citizen providing CPR) an ambulance provides transport to the hospital.
Not a knock on the fire department. They are awesome. But they can't be everywhere all the time so we need to consider a different way to save lives.
The county has a program to install AEDs (through AMR I believe) and should consider funding for training citizens in their use.
Would the FF Union endorse this concept or oppose it as a dangerous alternative? Mr. Wells, are you able to share you thoughts?