HomeMy WebLinkAboutComments and Recommendations for Future Fire Services and Funding_ Donald HorningTo: Citizen- Committee Fire Services Advisory Ad Hoc Committee
Date: May 9, 2018
From: Donald Horning, Committee Member, District 5, Leisure World
Subject: Comments and Recommendations for Future Fire Services and
Funding
As I will be out of town for the next scheduled Committee meeting, I offer the
following comments:
It has been a pleasure working with the Committee and look forward to the final
decision for Fire Services in Seal Beach.
Recommend that we retain Orange County Fire Authority as our provider for fire
and related emergency services. As our previous meetings have shown, the
other area Fire services (Long Beach City and Huntington Beach) are clearly
exemplary and well regarded. However, the immediate transition costs and
ongoing annual costs are significantly greater than our current OCFA costs.
Initiating an independent Seal Beach fire service is similarly cost prohibitive.
Funding for current and future Fire Service protection needs to meet the
projected costs as presented by OCFA. As the current funding model apparently
does not bring in sufficient revenue, especially in light of the Police Service needs
as well, I recommend a special tax or ongoing levy for Fire, Emergency and Police
Protective Services. While unfortunate for the taxpayers, I recommend a minimal
parcel tax increase of $200 per year. Other revenue generation sources should
also be considered, but all revenue for this purpose should be designated to that
purpose alone. In addition, a volunteer Fire and Emergency Services Program
similar to the Seal Beach Voluntary Policing Program should be evaluated. The
Neighborhood CERT program is an effective model but is underutilized.
Thank you for allowing me to make these comments.