BUENA PARK : Firefighters Back Switch to County

The city’s firefighters association gave its support this week to a proposal that the Orange County Fire Department provide fire services for the city.

“It is painful to think that our department may end. If we can’t maintain our level of protection as a ‘stand-alone’ fire department, then the county is a viable alternative,” said David C. Dorn, president of the Buena Park Firemen’s Assn.

Dorn said about 90% of the 52 members of the association favor the move. Under the county’s contract proposal, all 61 city Fire Department personnel would keep their jobs and be absorbed into the county department.

“We’ve been told layoffs are likely” if the city faces continued budget problems, Dorn said. “If we go county, everybody will have job.”

Staff cuts, he said, “would result in increased fire loss and possibly more injuries.”

The city turned to the county Fire Department to determine if the city could save money by contracting for fire services.

City Manager Kevin O’Rourke said the city staff is preparing an updated cost analysis based on the county’s final proposal.

At this week’s City Council meeting, about 80 people attended a public information forum and were given the opportunity to ask questions and voice their comments and concerns about the county’s contract proposal.

The next public information meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 18 in the City Council chambers. The council is tentatively scheduled to decide on the contract proposal May 16.

“This is not a great deal for us, though it is fair,” Dorn said, adding that some department employees will receive $20 a week less in compensation, while two employees will receive a substantial salary and benefit reduction of about $1,600 a month.