Your local 1014 executive board has been working hard with the Fire Chief trying to solve the budget issues for the City of Pomona. We are close to having a long term solution.
Unfortunately the City Manager has chosen to not wait any longer.
This weekend Local 1014 went directly to the citizens of Pomona with a letter:
POMONA IS CLOSING YOUR FIRE STATION!
Dear Neighbor,
On Monday June 18th, your City Council will be voting to adopt a budget that CLOSES YOUR LOCAL FIRE STATION 181 and ultimately a reduction of 15 Fire Fighters and Paramedics as is currently recommended by your City Manager and City Staff.
We need you to join us in telling the City Manager and Staff this is an unacceptable recommendation and Pomona needs to keep discussing alternative plans to both balance the budget and keep essential life safety services including Fire and Paramedic Services for your neighborhood.
Send her an e-mail at linda_lowry@ci.pomona.ca.us and copy us at help@local1014.org as well so we can let the City Council know you are serious about your priorities.
While we know there are serious budget shortfalls affecting all city services, essential fire and paramedic services rank right up there with the top needs for the community. We have saved Pomona over 50 million dollars in the last 10 years and continue to save the city 5 million dollars a year for service. We already reduced your Fire Department from 116 to 96 Fire Fighters and Paramedics, bare bones staffing, and yet we are being made the villain.
Closure of your Local Fire Station 181, will increase emergency response times and reduce the staff to serve you and save lives. Tell your City Leaders to keep at the table and do not close the station until we have exhausted all efforts to save your station…your family’s lives may depend on it and the Businesses of Downtown Pomona certainly depend on it also.
Sincerely,
Dave Gillotte
President of Los Angeles County Fire Fighters and Paramedics, Local 1014
Your Pomona Fire Fighters and Paramedics
A video shown on Cable TV all weekend:
And a recorder voice message:
On Monday your Pomona City Council will adopt a budget that CLOSES YOUR LOCAL FIRE STATION 181.That means a reduction of 15 Fire Fighters and Paramedics and increased emergency response times.
That’s why your firefighters and paramedics need you to answer our 9-1-1 call for help.
Tell the City Manager that this is an unacceptable.Pomona needs to keep discussing alternative plans proposed by your firefighters.We can balance the budget and maintain safe emergency service levels in your neighborhood.
Send the City Manager an e-mail at linda_lowry@ci.pomona.ca.us and copy us at help@local1014.org. With your help, we can keep city leaders at the table and do everything we can to keep Fire Station 181 open.
Lives may depend on it.Thank you for your help, trust and ongoing confidence in us.
If the City Manager is able to convince the City Council to close Fire Station 181 and not continue to work with the firefighters it will be a sad day for the citizens of Pomona.
