By Daniel Lopez
The Monterey County Herald
SEASIDE, Calif. — Seaside firefighters say they don’t want their department to be included in a proposal to merge services with Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel.
Firefighters were nearly unanimous in a vote last week to oppose the formation of a regional fire agency under a joint powers authority, Dave Nava, president of the Seaside Firefighters Association, said Monday.
The proposal would be implemented in three phases and is projected to save Seaside up to $350,000 in the first few years.
The firefighters are not convinced it’s the best option and, earlier this month, presented the City Council with an alternative plan, which they say will save money and allow the department to remain independent.
“There’s a lot of unknowns, and they are asking us to sign the dotted line and move forward, take the leap of faith and let it all work itself out,” Nava said.
The firefighters say if the merger were to happen, response to emergencies in Seaside could be delayed because the engine companies will at times have to go to the other cities.
“We are concerned about the services that Seaside would lose,” Nava said.
The merger plan does not address the need for improved fire service in North Seaside, Nava said.
“That is the area we need to be moving toward and providing with protection,” he said.
Firefighters propose establishing a partnership with the Presidio of Monterey Fire Department.
The firefighters worry that if the city merges the department with its neighbors, decision-making powers for Seaside will be in the hands of outsiders. They say the structure of the proposed regional agency has too many administrative positions.
“You don’t need an assistant chief and a fire marshal. You can combine that and share the workload,” Nava said. “They are expensive, and that is what the citizens and the cities are going to be paying for.”
The firefighters’ alternative proposes restructuring the department to reclassify some administrative positions, which they say would change the pay scale and save money. It includes the option to rehire three firefighters who were laid off.
The council is scheduled to review the proposed merger at its July 15 meeting and has directed city staff to study the firefighters’ alternative.
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