Fire Service Vows to Renew Fight As Mutual Aid Bill Falls Short
Despite a furious last-minute lobbying effort and a direct telephone pitch from firefighters across the state, the California Legislature adjourned early Saturday without approving desperately needed first responder legislation. But a united California fire service is saying, "We'll be back."
Falling victim to political intrigues that also claimed water and prison reform legislation, the state Senate came two votes short of passing the Emergency Response Initiative, a plan that could mean hundreds of millions of dollars to support the state's ability to respond to catastrophic events, such as the deadly Station Fire.
The ERI would establish a surcharge of less than $50 a year on property insurance, which would go directly to state and local first responder services. As much as $150 million a year could go directly to local fire agencies so they can be sure to have the staffing and equipment needed to respond where needed, when needed.
"Local fire agencies are the backbone of our mutual aid system," said CPF President Lou Paulson. "If they don't have the resources, they can't respond in full force when disaster strikes. The result ... greater risk to life and property."
Earlier this week, more than 40 representatives from virtually every major first responder organization -- labor and management -- walked the halls and met with state lawmakers in hopes of winning support for the ERI. The lobbying push comes in the wake of disturbing indications that our state's ability to respond fully to major disasters is at risk because of budget cuts at the state and local level. At least one agency -- San Francisco Fire Department -- declined to send any SF engines to respond to the Station Fire. Overall, the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) told the gathered firefighters that, so far, mutual aid resources are down about 1/3 from their normal levels, and could go deeper.
"With the cuts to local government funding in this year's budget, we could be down between 300 and 500 engines this year," said Cal EMA Fire Chief Kim Zagaris.
The unity and strength on display underscored the critical concerns about the mutual aid system. Leadership from more than a dozen CPF local affiliates -- north to south -- made the trip to Sacramento to meet with their legislators. In addition to CPF, representatives from CalChiefs, Cal EMA, CALFIRE, the League of Cities Fire Chiefs, CSFA and even the National Guard were part of the effort.
"If not now, when? If not this, what?" said CalChiefs President Sheldon Gilbert. "The system is at risk, and that puts our citizens at risk."
Eventually, the legislation received the support of all but one Senate Democrat, but only received a single Republican vote -- that of Sen. Abel Maldonado. The final tally -- 25 to 7 -- was two short of the 2/3 majority needed.
Because the Legislature can still be convened in Special Session, President Paulson vowed to reintroduce the issue in that forum and, if necessary, keep pushing it when the new legislative year begins in January.
"We're not going away because the problem isn't going away," said Paulson. "We can't afford to lose our world-class mutual aid system ... the stakes are just too great."