California Fire News

Firefighter pay disputed about overtime Posted: 03 Oct 2007 12:30 AM CDT Firefighters have dangerous, difficult jobs. They work long hours in a profession that can kill a person on the job. BAKERSFIELD - 10/2/07 - Story at MSNBC But it's become an extremely lucrative job, as well. Newly-released financial records show one county firefighter is paid close to $175,000 in overtime. The Bakersfield Californian was among the newspapers that successfully fought for the release of these records. "We have to be prepared to respond at all times, and unlike other types of business, we don't shut down," said Kern County Fire Chief Dennis Thompson. KernCounty fire captains make about $78,000 in base salary annually. Engineers are paid about $60,000 annually. The entry-level position of firefighter makes about $45,000, but hundreds of county fire personnel make much more, earning tens of thousands in overtime. In one extreme case, an engineer with a base salary of $66,000 made more than $176,000 last year. That's thanks to $104,000 in overtime and a couple thousand more in benefit pay. He's already made more than $80,000 in overtime this year. But the records show he is not alone. Dozens of fire captains cleared six-figure salaries thanks to overtime pay that resulted in them more than doubling their base salary. "I don't have all the information, but when one person is making 150 percent in salary in overtime, there's something not right there," said Kern County Taxpayers Association Executive Mike Turnipseed. "It is cheaper to maintain a constant staffing system that is based on overtime than it is to hire another person." Thompson said it comes down to additional costs like training and healthcare, so should he hire more people? "The answer is no because of the difference in benefit costs between straight time and overtime," said Thompson. Thompson said when you account for the amount of time local firefighters spend working on massive statewide fires, like the Zaca Fire in Santa Barbara, a different picture emerges about the overtime pay. Those big, multi-agency fires account for about half of the overtime, he said, and the state pays the county back. "We get 100 percent of our direct costs, plus an administrative fee reimbursed to us," Thompson said. Thompson said while it seems like certain fire personnel are making a lot of money, they are the ones who usually volunteer most. Other staff choose not to volunteer, but the chief said that doesn't negate the fire department's responsibility to maintain staffing for public safety.

Kennedy Meadows Lodge - will be REBUILDING Posted: 02 Oct 2007 09:25 PM CDT Kennedy Meadows has released the following statement for anyone who has a reservation in place for a future stay: Kennedy Meadows is closed for the rest of the 2007 season. We will be REBUILDING and will be open for business during the 2008 season. "In this destruction the business has lost ALL records, including and not limited to old and new customer contact information as well as all reservations for pack trips and cabins for 2008 and 2009. The management of Kennedy Meadows Resort is asking their customers (from around the world) to photocopy their deposit receipts and mail them to the resort. The Bloom family would also like to thank the community for all their well wishes and the immediate community for literally pitching in and helping the family in this unfortunate event. Dodge Ridge ski area has personally sent employees and generators to the scene to help in any and all ways. Dardanelle Resort has also taken the displaced customers and employees in, they arrived immediately with food for the employees and fire crews and have continued to play a vital role in providing meals and essentials that were all lost in the fire. For the hundreds of phone calls the Resort is receiving offering help, the family cannot express their gratefulness enough, and if anyone would like to know how they can be of any further assistance please look at the website for updated needs and areas of support. www.kennedymeadows.com." If you have further questions, you can contact Kennedy Meadows at 209-965-3900.

Tahoe Basin Fire Restrictions End Oct 3 Posted: 02 Oct 2007 09:18 PM CDT Residential Debris Burning Restrictions also to be lifted By: USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Mgt Unit Published: Oct 2, 2007 at 08:27 USDA Forest Service Fire Management Officer Kit Bailey announced the end of Tahoe Basin Fire Restrictions, effective October 3, 2007. In addition, in coordination with CalFire, residential debris burning restrictions are being lifted. Residents are urged to contact their local Fire Department or Fire Protection District station for details prior to conducting residential debris burning. 2007 fire restrictions prohibited campfires except within established fee campgrounds that provide fire rings, and prohibited charcoal fires at beaches and day use areas. Smoking has been restricted to the interiors of structures and vehicles, and to properly cleared areas. These restrictions will be lifted effective Wednesday, October 3. Residents and visitors should be aware that Forest Service fire regulations require the use of stoves year-round in most backcountry areas and in the Desolation Wilderness, and that valid campfire permits are required for both stoves and campfires. Charcoal fires will again be allowed at Forest Service beaches and other developed day use areas without a permit. The Tahoe Basin 2007 Fire Season was one of the driest on record with exceptionally low fuel moistures and humidity by Mid-June. Just prior to the 3,100 acre Angora Fire which started on June 24, the dryness of dead and down fuels (measured by fuel moisture) on the forest floor was comparable to conditions usually experienced in August. The Angora Fire was the result of an illegal campfire, started and abandoned in an area where fires are prohibited year-round. Although the cause of the fire has been established, the individual responsible is yet to be identified. Recent rain, snow and increased humidity, along with cooling temperatures, have significantly reduced wildfire risks. Despite improved conditions, the public should continue to use great caution with all potential sources of ignition, and be aware of, and follow fire regulations. For more information, call the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit Forest Supervisor's Office at: (530) 543-2694.

CA-LMU-Lookout -Vegetation Fire Posted: 02 Oct 2007 07:11 PM CDT CA-LMU-Lookout - Vegetation Fire near town of lookout, 40 acres Rapid ROS wind driven with imminent structure threat. 4 tankers on order.

[EDIS] lake wind advisory in effect from 11 am to 9 pm pdt Wednesday Posted: 02 Oct 2007 04:54 PM CDT [EDIS] lake wind advisory in effect from 11 am to 9 pm pdt Wednesday GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF... SOUTH LAKE TAHOE... TAHOE CITY... TRUCKEE... MARKLEEVILLE... GLENBROOK... INCLINE VILLAGE THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN RENO HAS ISSUED A LAKE WIND ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY. SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING WILL CAUSE ROUGH CHOP ON AREA LAKES. SMALL BOATS WILL BE PRONE TO CAPSIZING AND SHOULD REMAIN OFF LAKE WATERS UNTIL CONDITIONS IMPROVE. Area: GREATER LAKE TAHOE AREA-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF... SOUTH LAKE TAHOE... TAHOE CITY... TRUCKEE... MARKLEEVILLE... GLENBROOK... INCLINE VILLAGE Affected Counties or parts of: Modoc, Plumas, Placer, Mono, Lassen, El Dorado, Nevada, Sierra, Alpine, Sent: 2007-10-02T14:44:53-07:00 Original Sender: KREV@nwws.oes.ca.gov From: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RENO NV

Knights of Columbus names Firefighter of the Year Posted: 02 Oct 2007 04:56 PM CDT Vargas named 'Fire Fighter of the Year' By PETER DAY Star Editor Original story at: Hesperia Star October 1, 2007 - 2:24PM Secundino Vargas, second from left, was recently named 'Firefighter of the Year' by the Knights of Columbus Council 4228. Vargas, a more than 25-year member of the San Bernardino County Fire Department, serves as a fire captain at Station 301. Secundino Vargas, a fire captain at Fire Station 301, has been named the Knights of Columbus' Victor Valley Council 4228 Fire Fighter of the Year for 2007. Capt. Vargas received his award during a recent ceremony at the Knights' Hesperia clubhouse. Capt. Vargas has been a member of the San Bernardino County Fire Department for more than 25 years and has served as Station 301 fire captain for the last three years. "Capt. Vargas is an outstanding dedicated employee who is known for being a highly self-motivated supervisor who can always be counted on to get the job done," said Chief Sid Hultquist. "Captain Vargas has a high sense of dedication to his job and the citizens of Hesperia." According to Chief Hultquist, Capt. Vargas has exceeded expectations by helping those in need by arranging for food shelter or transportation, many times out of his own pocket. He also is involved with numerous committee assignments all of which lead to the betterment of the services provided to the community by the fire department. Some of these assignments include functioning as the local City representative for public information and coordination of the public education programs in Hesperia. Capt. Vargas also sits on the County wide Uniform and Safety Equipment Committee which is dedicated to improving fire fighter safety, on top of all this Captain Vargas is a trained rescue specialist who has helped put together the highly specialized Urban Technical Rescue Response Unit for the City of Hesperia which is located at Fire Station 301, according to Chief Hultquist.

AmCan to swear in new assistant fire chief today Posted: 02 Oct 2007 11:04 AM CDT Story at Times-Herald By DAN JUDGE/Times-Herald staff writer Article Launched: 10/02/2007 08:31:21 AM PDT AMERICAN CANYON - The former fire chief of Rio Vista has been named the new second-in-command for the American Canyon Fire Protection District. Mark Nelson, 45, will be officially sworn in as American Canyon's new assistant chief at today's City Council meeting. After two years in the more bureaucratically oriented fire chief's position in Rio Vista, Nelson said he was anxious to get back to the hands-on work of daily operations. "I really missed the operations and training, that's one of the main reasons I came here," Nelson said Monday. "And American Canyon is a very progressive, growing area." Nelson will take over the spot Fire Chief Glen Weeks held until he recently replaced retiring chief Keith Caldwell. A 24-year fire service veteran, Nelson has a strong background in hazardous materials emergency response, communications, operations and training. Nelson is a California State Fire Marshal Chief Officer and HazMat specialist. He also is a California State Training Institute instructor for HazMat first responder operations, incident command and terrorism response. He has degrees in fire science and organizational communications. "My commitment is to meet the challenges of this growing community, while preserving the caring atmosphere of a small town," he said. Nelson and his wife Mary Kay have four children and live in Modesto, but they hope to relocate to the American Canyon or Napa area. Engineer Vern Simas, who has been with the fire district for over 25 years, also will be promoted to fire captain at today's council meeting.

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