02-26-09, Bruce Philpott Responds to Michael Teahan’s Referring to Volunteer Firefighters as “Boy Scouts”

Mr. Teahan, an obvious expert in public safety, by labeling reserve firefighters as “Boy Scouts”, has criticized a fire staffing model that was developed by numerous fire chiefs over the course of several years. It has to do with utilizing reserve or volunteer firefighters to supplement the regulars. The Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs, in a written document published several years ago (I have a copy), recommended staffing with reserve firefighters to reduce position coverage overtime. They did not refer to these state certified firefighters as Boy Scouts.

I wonder if Mr. Teahan is aware that 75% of all fire departments in this country staff either with all volunteers or a combination of paid and volunteers. Mr. Teahan has characterized these fine civic-minded men and women who have chosen to participate in one of the most challenging and satisfying assignments that local volunteers can experience, as “Boy Scouts”. One must wonder how the Glendale police reserves feel about being branded, albeit indirectly, as Boy Scouts also. Their efforts save the city taxpayers around $4,000,000 per year in “position coverage” overtime. Why shouldn’t the Glendale fire department have a reserve program similar to the police department. The combined reserve programs could save Glendale taxpayers around $10,000,000 per year.

It might be more enlightening for Mr. Teahan to know that there are all volunteer fire departments in this country that have the same Class I status as the Glendale Fire Department. I suspect that those citizens served by these top notch firefighters who perform at the same level as their paid counterparts don’t care if they are volunteers. They care more about response times and effective fire suppression.

I am frankly surprised a bit as to why Mr. Teahan would care to offer such demeaning drivel. Is he trying to soften the beachhead for the onslought of the fire and police unions whose members will be canvassing precincts starting next week telling voters how risky it would be to “Public Safety” if Bruce Philpott got elected. After all, the firefighters have to protect the $35,000 they averaged in overtime last year. In the same publication as mentioned in the first paragraph, the Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs, said that firefighters have become “addicted” to overtime.

Since 2002, the city has, on average, spent $45,000,000 per year more than it has brought in. This is the reason that, for the first time, the city has taken out long term bond debt. And it is a sizable amount: $331,000,000. The city labels this borrowed money as “revenue”, in order to show a balanced budget.

How long can we continue to spend beyond our means? We are following the spending pattern of the city of Vallejo, whose mistakes finally caught up to it, forcing it into bankruptcy.

There is a lot more to public safety than merely offering platitudes that affirm our perceptions and images, a common practice by politicians. Referring to reserve or volunteer firefighters as boy scouts does nothing to advance the understanding of how we can make cost-effective reforms in an institution bounded by a culture that resists change.