By Dan Abendschein
The Pasadena Star-News
PASADENA, Calif. — Firefighters’ response times could increase with the suspension of a four-person ladder company taken out of service as part of the city’s spending cuts, officials said.
The ladder company based at Fire Station 32, 2424 E. Villa St. — comprised of a ladder truck, a fire engine, and a rescue ambulance — has been taken out of service for the remainder of this month and for at least 160 days of the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Pasadena Fire Department Chief Dennis Downs said the suspension will likely increase response times to some emergencies, particularly on the eastern side of the city.
“Our service is not going to be as efficient and effective as we would like. But we will still manage,” Downs said.
A second ladder company usually serves as a backup to the primary company, and on most days it was not used at all, Downs said.
However, he said the city’s insurer has told the department that it ideally should have three ladder companies in service to handle emergencies.
The suspension will save the city $125,000 for the remainder of the current fiscal year, and $725,000 in fiscal year 2011.
All city departments are suffering from budget cuts as the city seeks to reduce spending by $8 million in next year’s budget compared to this year’s. Officials predict a $5.3 million budget deficit next year.
The Fire Department savings will come from not having to pay four firefighters to staff the ladder company, which is usually staffed by firefighters working beyond their regular shifts. No firefighters were laid off, Downs said.
On Red Flag fire warning days, or days where there is a flood risk, the city will likely put the ladder company back into service, Downs said. If a serious emergency, like an earthquake, happens, off-duty firefighters will be brought in to operated the ladder company, he said.
The city will continue to partner with other area fire departments, and in an emergency, extra help could come from a neighboring city, Downs said.
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