By Mark Prado
Marin Independent Journal
Copyright 2007 Marin Independent Journal, a MediaNews Group publication
All Rights Reserved
MARIN, Calif. — Firefighters are concerned a fire station and ambulance service in the Marin Headlands could be slashed by Golden Gate National Recreation Area officials, according to their union.
The union says the GGNRA is looking at cuts to service provided by the Presidio Fire Department, including the closure of Station 2 at Fort Cronkhite near Rodeo Beach. The station serves the Marine Mammal Center and Headlands Institute, which hosts thousands of students each year.
“The union thinks the park service is putting the public’s safety in danger for the sake of saving a few bucks,” said Brandon Treat, spokesman for the Presidio Firefighters Local F-145.
The GGNRA and the Presidio Trust share the cost of operations of the department - about $4.4 million this fiscal year. Recently, the GGNRA and Trust hired a consultant for $38,000 to conduct an efficiency study.
One of the recommendations made in the review is the closure of Station 2, with National Park Service rangers providing emergency medical services and neighboring fire departments providing ambulance and fire service at Fort Baker and the Marin Headlands on a contract basis, according to the GGNRA. The move could save as much as $750,000.
“There has been no decision yet regarding the viability of this or any of the other recommendations. Accordingly, no formal contact has yet been made with neighboring departments,” according to a statement issued by the GGNRA.
The union said cutbacks are already taking place, noting 42 positions are budgeted for the department but only 32 are filled permanently. The GGNRA is beginning to fill the openings with temporary personnel. The temporary nature of the jobs means the hires are less qualified than others and fewer firefighters are working, and for longer periods of time - 72 straight hours instead of 48, Treat said.
“This directly affects anybody who works, lives, commutes or visits the Presidio, Fort Mason, the Marin Headlands and Golden Gate Bridge. These are all areas served by our department,” Treat said.
The drop in staffing has led to response times of more than four minutes in some areas, outside guidelines established by federal code, Treat said.
“Our department is set on providing the public with the best response they can get, bar none,” Treat said. “We are not going away quietly.”
The GGNRA said it is analyzing emergency response data to determine which alternatives would adequately provide fire department services to park visitors, partners and employees. After a data analysis has been completed, the GGNRA may have discussions with neighboring fire departments to gauge their ability to provide services, and the cost involved.
In May, a federal panel of independent experts will review all available information. The panel will then make recommendations.
“The GGNRA is committed to providing an appropriate level of structural fire, emergency medical service, and other emergency services to the Marin Headlands and Fort Baker, but it has a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that these services are being provided in the most cost-effective manner,” GGNRA officials wrote in a prepared statement.