rural firefighter

READER'S EDITORIAL: COUNTY NEEDS TO HIRE EXPERIENCED CAREER FIREFIGHTERS TO MAN RURAL STATIONS

 

Editor’s note:  This editorial was submitted by a rural firefighter who asked that his name be withheld due to fear of retaliation for speaking out on this issue that affects the safety of us all.  The editorial came in response to our story, “Why are so many fire stations closed—and what’s being done to boost staffing?” Our story revealed a shortage in volunteer firefighters paid a minimal stipend. Recruitment rates are lower than loss rates as newly trained volunteers are hired away by Cal Fire and other agencies. Read our original story here: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/why-are-so-many-fire-stations-closed%E2%80%94and-what%E2%80%99s-being-done-county-boost-staffing  

 

August 11, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) --I think this was a great article; being in the fire service for more than 20 years I can tell you I think you missed one key area.

Trained personnel is a key part of firefighting. The county lacks the ability to retain the people they train. This means they continue to have new people that lack experience. Without experience and training you will come into a situation that you will possibly kill firefighters.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.