3rd District Report
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| Bobby Weist |
Pioneer Firefighters Lose County Funding
Since El Dorado County cut funding to Pioneer Fire Protection District, Pioneer firefighters are hoping that the passage of a parcel tax will help keep their fire district alive.
The County used to annually provide $279,000 for the last several years. The county reduced this assistance by almost $100,000 for 2010-2012 and the full amount of assistance will go away July 1, 2012. This funding accounts for almost 25% of their entire budget.
On November 8, residents will vote on a parcel tax measure that will directly benefit the Pioneer Fire Protection District. The proposed tax is $85 per parcel for developed parcels and only developed parcels will be taxed. If passed, it would raise $237,235 annually.
"We've recently made concessions and we're just barely hanging on to keep 24-hour staffing the way it is," said Local 4586 President Jack Daniels. The Pioneer Protection District covers 296 square miles with one ALS fire engine and respond to 790 calls per year. "We need the passage of this parcel tax. It will ensure that we can maintain local control as well as response and service levels as they currently stand."
Pioneer Professional Firefighters Local 4586 now has a PayPal donate button on their website: http://www.pioneerfirefighters.com/ to raise funds for their fire district operations.
Sacramento Area Firefighters Raise Money for Retired Captain's Granddaughter
When retired West Sacramento Fire Department Captain Wally Enos's granddaughter Addison was diagnosed as one of only a few reported children to have the rare blood disease HLH and AML Leukemia, Enos's firefighter family was there to offer support.
In June, Sacramento area firefighters, police and military personnel gathered at the CrossFit facility in West Sacramento to participate in a StandOff, a competitive event to raise money for 2-year-old Addison Enos.
Eleven teams of four members competed in three physically demanding workouts that require strength, power, speed, endurance and heart. Tasks included lifting weights, a 400m sprint, pull-ups and lunges.
BloodSource was also on hand at the event, registering potential bone marrow donors.
Participants got a good workout, while also raising over $5,000. All proceeds went to the family to cover medical expenses associated with Addison's care.
"We were blessed by the warm hearted people of CrossFit West Sacramento, with a fundraiser event for Addie. So many men and women put everything aside and sacrificed their bodies to grueling physical challenges in honor of Addison and as a representation of her physical struggle over the last year," said Amanda Kukuk, Addison's mother.
"It's just one example of the way that we support a firefighter brother or sister in need," said Rich Schmiedt, President of Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522. "Even if you are retired, you are always one of us."
Editor's note: As this issue went to press, we learned that Addison had passed away. Our deepest condolences to her family.
Lathrop-Manteca FFs Hope Parcel Assessment Raises FD Revenue
After seeing a dramatic drop in property tax revenues, Lathrop-Manteca Firefighters Local 4317 is hoping a parcel assessment will provide the lifeline that they need.
The proposed assessment would add a flat rate to parcels, as well as a fee for the square footage of structures. Rates would vary for residents and businesses. For the average household, the assessment will be an additional $4/month. This revenue will go directly toward fire protection.
"If this parcel assessment passes, it will generate $1 million, which would provide 20 to 25 percent of our operating budget. If doesn't pass, there is a good likelihood that we will be forced to lay off several firefighters and close one of our four stations. It's make it or break it for us," said Local 4317 President Josh Capper.
At the time of publication, the local has received good feedback from the community about the assessment, despite the fact that it is a difficult time economically for most citizens to spend more money.
"Most of the people we have been talking to have been willing to spend the extra dollars, as long as it's going towards fire protection," said Capper.
Local 4317 has been raising awareness about the assessment by walking their precinct, flyering door to door and putting up signs around town about this important vote. In addition, the local partnered with the Lathrop-Manteca Fire District to host public workshops to educate residents about the assessment and give them an opportunity to ask questions.
Ballots were mailed in early June and the deadline for returning ballots was July 26.
Editor's update: The ballot assessment did not pass and Lathrop-Manteca Fire District has laid off four firefighters this month. More cuts may come.