Contra Costa Fire Protection District May Close Two More Stations
PLEASANT HILL (KCBS) — After the closure of four stations so far this year, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District may close two additional stations citing a lack of revenue.
According to district officials, one station would close in July and the other in January 2014. The district covers all of Contra Costa County and its one million residents.
Firefighter Vito Impastato was astonished by the announcement. "This budget is like asking Concord High School with 2,000 students to just have four teachers. It's going to be impossible to do," he said.
Another Round Of Cuts Threatened For Contra Costa Fire Department
Vince Wells, the president of the Firefighters Union Local 1230, said the fire protection district will suffer.
"Our firefighter staffing went from 91 firefighters down to 72," Wells said. "These cuts would bring us down to 66 firefighters on duty."
County Supervisor Mary Piepho said when voters rejected a $75 parcel tax measure last year, they were telling the fire protection district to live within its means.
"That means lives are going to be lost. Stations will be closed. Firefighters will lose their jobs and we will have massive impact to public health and safety," said Piepho.
Final adoption of the county budget is expected next month.
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