A professional firefighters union representative echoed Fildes concerns, noting that the staff report showed only “fully-loaded costs.”“Stations are obviously not mobile homes,” said Councilman John Procter, who asked for more input about same.“The people who have spoken on the fire issue do not represent the entire department,” said Chief Paul Skeels. “There is a whole paid-call contingent and two chiefs,” that must be included in discussions.The city has founded the fire department for 100 years and although the SPFD is under-funded there are plans for revenue enhancement and expansion.“We’re very proud of the department and would to see us progress,” to opening Station 2 on a full-time basis, noted Chief Skeels.The SPFD offers and has access to mutual aid and “it works well. . .I’m not really happy with the idea that our problem could be solved by closing an existing fire station and using that as a solution for staffing two,” in the city, he added.Staffing and financial problems of the SPFD are not insurmountable, Chief Skeels said.“Five years ago I lived across the river in the county and one of the important factors in moving into town was the confidence I felt then, and feel now, in our Santa Paula Fire Department,” he added.The council agreed to have the issue continued for further study.
Council continues study on SP Fire Department annexation
December 10, 2003
Santa Paula City Council
The City Council decided that further study is needed on the feasibility of annexing the Santa Paula Fire Department into the Ventura County Fire Department system.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe City Council decided that further study is needed on the feasibility of annexing the Santa Paula Fire Department into the Ventura County Fire Department system.At the Dec. 1 meeting City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz recommended that the city keep the status quo when it comes to the SPFD, part of an options study for public safety services.Santa Paula must provide services comparable to the rest of the county, and “on the fire side, we have one of the finest departments in the county,” noted Bobkiewicz.Bobkiewicz outlined the merger process noting that “an election by protest” over such a move could be forced by public objection.As it is, he added, the costs of county fire services would be “about three times the existing budget,” not including diverted property tax revenue for city fire services. Even with eventual SPFD full-staffing plans the cost would more than $1.4 million annually under the county, Bobkiewicz noted.SPFD Cpt. Kevin Fildes disagreed, noting his serious concerns with the report. Items such as helicopter service and hand crews are not consistent with what the city would provide.“We have to continue to sit down with VCFD,” to develop a plan crafted to the city’s needs, he noted.Fildes suggested that an existing VCFD station could be moved to the city, reducing the overall costs.
