By Maria Ines Zamudio
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune
WEST COVINA, Calif. — The West Covina Firefighters Association and the city are locked in a tug-of-war over the implementation of budget cuts.
In May, the City Council approved a budget reduction plan aimed at closing an $8.7 million deficit from the city’s $52.7 million operating budget. The Fire Department’s budget was trimmed by $1.95 million.
Since then, the West Covina Firefighters Association has handed out 500 door hanger fliers and demonstrated outside Fire Station 2.
The fliers claim the budget cuts will create longer response times, a greater risk to life and property, reduce paramedic response and increase insurance costs. The flier also encourages residents to call four council members who voted to approve the cuts.
More than 15 residents have called the city wanting to know more about the cuts, City Manager Andrew Pasmant said. After those calls he decided to set the record straight.
The city sent 5,000 letters to residents who live near stations 2 and 4 last week.
West Covina Firefighters Association spokesman Capt. Cory Cisneros said the union is only providing information to citizens, but Pasmant says it is doing the opposite.
“They are playing games,” Pasmant said. “That’s why I called (the firefighters’ claims) rumors.”
The city’s letter read: “I want to clarify several rumors that have been circulated in the community.”
It then proceeded to identify the “rumors":
Rumor 1: West Covina is closing a fire station. Not true, the letter said.
Rumor 2: Firefighters and paramedics are being laid off. Not true, the letter said.
Rumor 3: The city is eliminating an ambulance from the community. Not true, the letter said.
Rumor 4: The Fire Department will not have paramedics to respond to 9-1-1 calls. Not true, the letter said.
The cuts to the Fire Department, according to the May presentation to the council, included eliminating one fire engine and nine positions that are now vacant or will become vacant, which would save $1.6 million.
The department also will replace six paramedics with emergency response technicians, which would save $315,362. The city is evaluating this replacement and hasn’t made the replacement yet.
The cuts were implemented Thursday.
Mike Fountain, president for the West Covina Firefighters Association, said the city is not being honest about where the cuts will be made.
Fountain said in a written statement that since the association started organizing around station 2 to keep the engine there open, the city changed its plans and instead will close the fire engine in station 4.
Pasmant said the decision to change which engine to eliminate had nothing to do with the association’s demonstration. Instead, the city decided to close an engine from Station 4 because Station 2 is located in the center of the city and would be able to reach more places in case of an emergency.
Station 4 will now keep a ladder truck, a decision made by the firefighters, Pasmant said.
Despite the public war of words, Pasmant and Fountain say negotiations remain cordial and both sides are committed to serve the needs of the community.
“Firefighters of this community will continue to provide the very best service with the resources provided by the department and the city,” Fountain said in a written statement. “Unfortunately, with such severe staffing reductions and unit closures, there will be consequences.”
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