Placentia prevails over union tactics - OCRegister

The official July 1 launch of Placentia’s new fire department should have been one of those non-controversial, good-news stories. City officials, facing soaring costs, found an innovative way to improve firefighting services while sparing its residents cutbacks in other community services or tax increases. What’s not to like?

The city formed its new Fire and Life Safety Department after ending its long-standing fire and ambulance contract with the Orange County Fire Authority. Even OCFA officials recently assured the public that the “transition will be completely seamless.” However, the path to the department’s opening has been anything but easy.

Quite simply, California fire unions, the state fire chiefs’ association and even OCFA used every imaginable tactic to derail Placentia’s effort — even though the move will save city taxpayers at least $2 million a year, significantly boost daily staffing levels and improve response times.

As recently as last month, the union representing Orange County firefighters released a political video alleging the new department puts “Placentia at risk.” In an unprofessional move, the California Fire Chiefs Association had encouraged firefighters to boycott working for the new department. OCFA used its muscle to derail automatic-aid agreements with neighboring cities that would provide quicker emergency responses.

As the latter example highlights, the firefighting establishment’s battle against Placentia has little to do with public safety and everything to do with protecting current pay levels and union membership rolls. If Placentia succeeds, the unions fear other cities will take a similar tack.

Placentia is contracting with a private company to provide ambulance services, which account for the vast majority of service calls. They are exiting the bloated California Public Employees’ Retirement System — although unions are backing legislation to stop other cities from doing so. The department will embrace sensible cost-saving measures, such as sending fire engines to paramedic calls only when needed.

Placentia does offer a roadmap for other cities. It’s not an easy road to follow, but the cost savings and service improvements are well worth enduring the union muscle-flexing.

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Placentia prevails over union tactics - OCRegister
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