LB Firefighters Union Prez Pens Pusillanimous Words As Mgm't/Mayor Propose To Leave Fire Stns (Including Stearns Park Stn 17) Without Fire Engines and NLB Stn 12 Without Paramedic/Rescue

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Editorial

LB Firefighters Union Prez Pens These Pusillanimous Words As Mgm't/Mayor Propose To Leave Fire Stns (Including Stearns Park Area Stn 17) Without Fire Engines and NLB Stn 12 Without Paramedic/Rescue

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(Aug. 9, 2016) -- So what do you, after handing over $77,000 of your union members' money to a political committee that told LB voters what the mailer below told them, and less than two months after voters voted, city management and the current Mayor propose to leave LB taxpayers without a fire engine in Stearns Park area Station 17, a rescue/paramedic unit at NLB Station 12 and roughly 200 police officers erased including LBPD's former field anti-gang unit?

Below is the verbatim text from the most recent newsletter -- published today (Aug. 9) on the very day that the LB City Council will consider LBFD's 2017 budget -- of a message from LB Firefighters Association Local 372 president Rex Pritchard.

[LB Firefighters Ass'n newsletter text] What a difference a few months can make!
Local residents, elected officials, and Long Beach Firefighters knew all too well that the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) was devastated with the recent budget cuts that included losing ambulances, fire engines, fire trucks, and critical staff positions. This decrease in resources led to higher response times and a fire department that was stretched way too thin.
Now, with elected officials who have made a recommitment to rebuild the LBFD and the overwhelming support of the good people of Long Beach who passed Measure A to increase revenue to fund public safety - and our fire department in particular - things continue to get better for our Firefighters and, most importantly, for the people of Long Beach who we are honored to serve.
Recently, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia announced his proposed 2017 Long Beach city budget at LBFD Fire Station 8 in Belmont Shore. The location for Mayor Garcia's announcement was no accident - as the Mayor's proposed budget calls for the restoration of Engine 8, which was eliminated during the budget cuts a few years ago.
The Mayor's proposed budget also provides additional funding to hire 8 new Long Beach police officers and 12 new LBFD Firefighters to fill staffing shortages. In addition, the budget proposes investing in water quality initiatives, repaving our local roads, fixing our dilapidated sidewalks, and much more.
The voters of Long Beach trusted our city leaders to protect the new revenue that was provided with the passage of Measure A and make sure that our city's highest priorities - including the Long Beach Fire Department - would be funded with this new revenue. So far, our elected leaders have kept faith with their promises to the voters.
The Long Beach Firefighters want to publicly commend Mayor Garcia and the members of the City Council who continue to turn their promises into action and are working hard to ensure that our city departments have the resources that they need to provide the type of first class service to the people of Long Beach that they have come to expect and deserve.
But the budget process is not done yet. Over the next few weeks, there will be a series of budget meetings where all residents will have the chance to make their voices heard and ask that the City provides full funding for essential city services - starting with the Long Beach Fire Department.
For more information on upcoming budget meetings during the month of August, please visit www.longbeachca.opengov.com.
There is still lots of work to be done - and our elected officials NEED to hear from Long Beach neighbors who want to make the continuing efforts to rebuild our fire department a very top priority over the coming months.
With dramatic structure and wildland fires happening throughout the State of California, Long Beach Firefighters continue to be called up to provide "Mutual Aid" to our fellow Firefighters in communities throughout the State.
So thank you Mr. Mayor for taking the time to make your announcement at LBFD Station 8 and for your commitment to restore Engine 8 for the residents in the Belmont Shore community. We are happy to continue to partner with you as we work to protect public safety in Long Beach.
As always, it continues to be my honor to work with the most dedicated Firefighters and Paramedics in America - our Long Beach Firefighters.
Regards,
s/ Rex Pritchard
President
Long Beach Firefighters Local 372

Below is a mailer sent to LB voters by the political committee to which the LB Firefighters Association gave over $77,000 in cash and in-kind services.

The union is now negotiating with city officials on a new contract, you know.

Our Editorial's title and text have been changed (Aug.9, 10:30 p.m.) to more accurately describe Fire Station 17 (2241 Argonna Ave.) located in the Stearns Park area (NW of Los Altos.)

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