CDF presents draft transition plan to fire boards

California Division of Forestry (CDF) staff made a detailed presentation to both the Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District and Point Montara Fire Protection District boards of directors at a joint meeting Thursday night Sept 14.  Citizens and firefighters were also on hand for the first public discussion in what all agreed will be an involved process to determine all of the questions which need to be answered in order for CDF to provide fire and emergency service in the two districts. 

The PowerPoint presentation was impressive in its thorough anticipation of the steps necessary to implement the contract for fire services with CDF, which both boards have resolved to pursue.  A draft "Transition Business Plan" was provided covering items ranging from discussion of joint operations with other San Mateo County fire agencies to negotiating a Memorandum of Understanding with current Half Moon Bay employees to become CDF employees and ordering new uniforms for them.  

Questions were taken both during and after the presentation.  CDF stated its objective was to develop and implement an action plan that will allow for the smooth and efficient transition of management and command of the Half Moon Bay and Point Montara Fire Districts to Cal Fire. CDF Battalion Chief Mark Brunto will be assigned soon to HMBFPD to manage the transition. The plan calls for CDF to commence providing Coastside fire and emergency services on Jan 1, 2007.

Several citizens spoke during public comment both for and against contracting out fire services.  Firefighter’s union representative Alan Davis presented signed petitions to the Boards and demanded that the boards either rescind their decision to explore contracting for services or immediately submit the issue to a vote of the districts’ citizens.  Union Representative Ed Hawkins pointed out Shop Steward Chip Pickard and demanded the Board meet and confer with him.  Hawkins alleged the Board had refused to confer in the past month. Hawkins also spoke on an audit being conducted by the Union of the HMBFPD fire district finances. Upon advice of legal counsel the boards took no action on the union representatives’ request. 

Since the meeting agenda contained no items to be voted upon, the meeting continued without interruption. 

Both citizens and board members asked many questions concerning the transition process.  Most of the questions were about personnel matters.  All questions were either answered by CDF or will be addressed during the next few weeks as talks continue.  It was apparent that CDF, who currently has 160 fire service contracts with other local fire districts throughout California, was very comfortable with the questions and has an excellent grasp of what it will take to transition to providing local fire and emergency services under contract to and under the control of the local fire boards.  CDF was invited to attend the next Half Moon Bay Fire District board meeting.