Mar 6, 2008 1:49 pm US/Pacific
2 Vallejo Fire Stations Close Amid Budget Crisis
VALLEJO (CBS 5 / AP / BCN) ―
The Vallejo Fire Department temporarily closed two fire stations on Thursday in a deal with its firefighters union aimed at helping the city avoid bankruptcy, officials said.
The closures were part of an emergency plan approved by the City Council on Tuesday to help prevent the city from having to file Chapter 9 bankruptcy by the end of the month.
Vallejo firefighters also ratified a new labor agreement as part of that effort. The head of the fire union said firefighters approved the deal in secret ballots cast Tuesday and Wednesday.
Under the agreement, firefighters agreed to contract concessions, including giving up a pay raise due this fiscal year and the closure of the two fire stations.
The agreement enables the city to make up for a $6 million shortfall, but leaves nothing in reserves.
The decision to specifically close Vallejo fire stations 22 and 27 was based upon analysis of a variety of factors including district call volume, proximity to other fire stations, square miles served and population served, officials said.
Firefighters described the closings as a sad situation.
"Everyone's moving, everyone's getting new crews and we're all going to get a lot busier," said Fire Capt. Eric Diaz, who had been working out of station 22.
In addition to the closure of the fire stations, minimum staffing levels will be reduced from 28 firefighters to 22 firefighters per day as well as staffing reductions in Fire Administration, Fire Prevention and Fire Training Divisions, officials said.
Station 22 is located at 700 Fifth Street and served the residents of South Vallejo. Station 27 is located at 1585 Ascot Court and served the Northgate and Hiddenbrooke areas of Vallejo, according to the Fire Department.
Stations 22 and 27 were closed at 8 a.m. Thursday until further notice, according to the Fire Department.
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