(August 2, 2012) -- On August 1, Mayor Bob Foster recommended that the City Council adopt City Management's proposed FY13 City Hall budget, which applies what the Mayor and management call "proportional reductions" that would cut LBFD's budget, resulting in the measures below (among others) proposed by LB management. Quoted text is from budget narrative unless otherwise indicated.
- Eliminate One Fire Engine (location not publicly specified), Cut Paramedics In Half (Requires L.A. County Approval) But Increase Paramedic Units From Eight to Eleven, Full Service Not Restored at Stn 17
"Particular focus will be directed to maintaining adequate response times for all emergencies and minimizing fire loss. The Department desires to return 4-person crews that were funded with one-time funds in FY 12. To do so and meet the Department’s proportionate share goal, will require the maintenance of the current light force at station 17, taking an engine out of service and utilizing savings from an alternative paramedic service model. One-time resources will be provided to allow for the transition to this model."
- Cut paramedics by half (requires L.A. County approval), increase number of paramedic units from 8 to 11
"Implement an alternative paramedic service model. Similar to the paramedic model used in most counties in California, including San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the new model will consist of one paramedic and one emergency medical technician instead of two paramedics. This new model will increase the number of paramedic units from eight to eleven. Response times to medical incidents may improve as more paramedic resources will be available. Los Angeles County approval is needed before implementation can occur. One-time resources will be utilized to allow for the transition to this new model while County approval is sought. Savings from this model is in the reduction of the paramedics required in the system."
[Bullet point under "Allocation of one-time resources"]
$3.6m. to finally construct gender-equitable fire stations
Mayor Bob Foster's official budget recommendations include the following reference regarding fire funding:
[Among bullet-pointed recomendations]
- Embark on a comprehensive Police and Fire Department services review.
The Fire Department has proposed a new way to deliver core services more
efficiently at lower costs -- and achieve faster medical response times. I wish I
could tell you it is a radically new idea; it is not. This service model is in place in
Ventura, San Diego, San Bernardino and Santa Barbara counties – and has been
for years. And since 84% of all the calls for service in Long Beach are for
medical response, this one change is emblematic of delivering improved service
levels at a lower cost.
To hear Mayor/Mgm't Aug. 1 proposed budget presentation, click here. Mayor's opening runs to 17:25 (parallels his written statement on next link); City Mgr. starts at 17:30; Q & A runs from 35:40 to 44:45). To see detailed budget documents (City Mgm't materials + Mayor's recommendations), click here.
LBReport.com FY13 Proposed City Budget Coverage: - Police: Eliminate 40 Sworn Officers + 32 Civilians; Reduce Gang Enforcement & Investigation Bureaus, Acknowledges Would Likely Mean Higher Crime; Would Fund One 34-Officer (17 Recruits for Six Month Training) Replenishment Police Academy Class in FY13
- Eliminate One Fire Engine (Location Not Publicly Specified), Cut Paramedics In Half (Requires L.A. County Approval), Increase Paramedic Units From Eight to Eleven
- Parks & Rec: Eliminate Free Youth Sports & Afterschool Pgms Except In High Density/High Crime Areas, Eliminate Park Ranger Safety Patrols at El Dorado Park except Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, And More
- Libraries: Cut Main Library Hours, Convert Six Branches to "Self-Serve," Cut Staff at Harte and Mark Twain
- Council Reaction: Councilwoman Schipske Says Mayor/Mgr's Proposed Budget Cuts Would Hurt Eastside Most
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