Local Agencies Fear State IOUs Could Force Them Out of Mutual Aid
California’s critical disaster response network could break down as a result of the state’s cash crisis, leaving millions at risk in the event of an earthquake or catastrophic wildfire.
That’s the concern being expressed by first responders, in the wake of a sobering report in the San Diego Union Tribune.
In a statement issued through Cal-EMA, CAL FIRE officials alerted California fire agencies that mutual aid calls for catastrophic wildland fire or other disaster will be paid back with IOUs. In a July 15 story in the San Diego Union Tribune, local fire officials warned that the directive could force these financially-strapped local agencies to opt out of participating in the state’s mutual aid disaster response system. (CLICK HERE TO READ THE STORY).
In response to these concerns, the state’s top fire service labor and management organizations have joined forces to urge that the state act quickly to approve the budget, including the Emergency Response Initiative.
“Local fire departments can’t afford to float Sacramento a loan when their own services are being slashed,” said Lou Paulson, president of California Professional Firefighters. “If the money isn’t there to pay back mutual aid costs, local agencies will have no choice but to protect their own citizens. And that would be a disaster for California.”
Local fire agencies are the backbone of the state’s response capability for everything from fires to earthquakes to human-caused disasters. The state’s decision to pay back these services with IOUs undermines the foundation of the state’s cooperative disaster response network.
“"Without the ERI, California could lose up to half of its mutual aid response capacity – upwards of 500 local agency engines," said Sheldon Gilbert, president of the California Fire Chiefs Association. “California’s mutual aid response system is the ‘thin line’ protecting our citizens when disaster strikes, and the ERI keeps that line from being erased.”
As proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Emergency Response Initiative allocates funds to protect the rapid statewide response capabilities of CAL FIRE and local response. Over the next three years, it would allocate up to $150 million a year directly to local fire departments to safeguard the interconnected mutual aid response system. The initiative – endorsed by every major first responder organization in California – would be funded by a 4.8 percent surcharge on new and renewed commercial and residential insurance premiums.
“Every Californian has a stake in a mutual aid network that can respond quickly and decisively to save lives and property when disaster strikes,” said Paulson. “The ERI insures that all Californians are protected."