Vernon disbanding Fire Dept.

[PaulNDaOC]

The city council voted recently to disband their Fire Department and to become an LA County Fire contract city.

Two of the four fire stations will be closed.

An Engine and Quint will be at the what is now Station 76 at 4301 Santa Fe and be staffed by seven personnel.
A squad and engine will be stationed at current Station 77 on Fruitland St. with five personnel.

The station on Soto will be used for office space, etc.. and the station which was originally built by County Fire on Bandini Blvd (#109) will be closed down completely.

No date has been set yet for the cut-over.

 

[1942LA]

So, the union will dictate who the County brings aboard as Captains, FFS's, etc? Sure must be nice to enter the County, via the back door:

https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/404495/Resolution_Approving_and_Authorizing_the_Execution_of_an_Agreement_with_the_Consolidated_Fire_Protection_District_of_Los_Angeles_County_for_Fire_Protection__Paramedic_and_Incidental_Services_in_the_City_of_Vernon_COMBINED.pdf

 

[PaulNDaOC]

So, the union will dictate who the County brings aboard as Captains, FFS's, etc? Sure must be nice to enter the County, via the back door:

https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/attachment/pdf/404495/Resolution_Approving_and_Authorizing_the_Execution_of_an_Agreement_with_the_Consolidated_Fire_Protection_District_of_Los_Angeles_County_for_Fire_Protection__Paramedic_and_Incidental_Services_in_the_City_of_Vernon_COMBINED.pdf

If my recollection is correct Vernon FD was a non-union department and if so they will have to rely on the belief that the right thing will be done in their interests.

With only two stations, including one that will pick up part of Maywood and Huntington Park as first-in area, they will all have to get used to not sleeping all night anymore regardless of where they end up. It's not like they will snag an open spot at LA County 56's. LA County Fire is a department where you work 24/7/365.

 

[1942LA]

If my recollection is correct Vernon FD was a non-union department and if so they will have to rely on the belief that the right thing will be done in their interests.

With only two stations, including one that will pick up part of Maywood and Huntington Park as first-in area, they will all have to get used to not sleeping all night anymore regardless of where they end up. It's not like they will snag an open spot at LA County 56's. LA County Fire is a department where you work 24/7/365.

Yeah, I thought the same thing.

But....I read this (and it's hard for me to believe the County will actually go for it):

"A duly authorized representative from the Vernon Firefighter’s Association, Local 2312 (VFA) and the Vernon Fire Management Association (VFMA) shall approve, in writing, the appointment of the personnel designated to the ranks of Captain and Fire Fighter Specialist as listed on Schedule 7 attached."

"(4) Firefighting Experience - CITY sworn employees to be assigned to the position of Fire Captain shall have a minimum of five (5) years' firefighting experience. The CITY represents and warrants that those employees assigned Fire Captain positions have a minimum of five (5) years' firefighting experience."

You're right about not going to 56's..lol!

 

[PaulNDaOC]

Yeah, I thought the same thing.

But....I read this (and it's hard for me to believe the County will actually go for it):

"A duly authorized representative from the Vernon Firefighter’s Association, Local 2312 (VFA) and the Vernon Fire Management Association (VFMA) shall approve, in writing, the appointment of the personnel designated to the ranks of Captain and Fire Fighter Specialist as listed on Schedule 7 attached."

"(4) Firefighting Experience - CITY sworn employees to be assigned to the position of Fire Captain shall have a minimum of five (5) years' firefighting experience. The CITY represents and warrants that those employees assigned Fire Captain positions have a minimum of five (5) years' firefighting experience."

You're right about not going to 56's..lol!

I'm glad they at least have representation now. It will make for a smoother transition. Better to let the association handle issues, than develop a negative reputation before your first day.

You can add a few more they won't be able to bid for, Anything in Battalion 5 Malibu/ Conejo Valley. That bell only goes off about once every three days at 72's. What a life.

 

[Eng74]

If LACoFD continues to do what they have done in the past, everyone but the engineers can bid on open spots in the county and then after six months the engineers will get sent out and can bid on openings.it can be better some guys might acutely get closer to home that way.

 

[engineercarl]

If LACoFD continues to do what they have done in the past, everyone but the engineers can bid on open spots in the county and then after six months the engineers will get sent out and can bid on openings.it can be better some guys might acutely get closer to home that way.

Exactly what my Dad did. Promoted to Engineer and bid directly to 75's where he could sleep at night and work on projects through the day.

EC

 

[Eng74]

Exactly what my Dad did. Promoted to Engineer and bid directly to 75's where he could sleep at night and work on projects through the day.

EC

Every department has their “retirement” stations, some are outlying areas, some are stations at the airport.

 

[PaulNDaOC]

Exactly what my Dad did. Promoted to Engineer and bid directly to 75's where he could sleep at night and work on projects through the day.

EC

I would assume bids are handled by department seniority, not time in their current position.

A place like 75's would seem to be a valued spot since it sits close to the county border making access to those residing in Ventura County closer to home.

I was reading in a Central Coast paper about an LA County guy at I think 126's that is involved in local politics in San Luis Obispo County and commutes from one of the cities along the 101 Freeway between Santa Maria and Pismo Beach. What a commute even if it isn't Mon-Fri.

 

[Eng74]

I would assume bids are handled by department seniority, not time in their current position.

A place like 75's would seem to be a valued spot since it sits close to the county border making access to those residing in Ventura County closer to home.

I was reading in a Central Coast paper about an LA County guy at I think 126's that is involved in local politics in San Luis Obispo County and commutes from one of the cities along the 101 Freeway between Santa Maria and Pismo Beach. What a commute even if it isn't Mon-Fri.

Bids are based on seniority in position. The guys coming over from Vernon will get their time in Vernon in their position counted like it was all LACoFD time. The only time overall time comes into play is if there is layoffs.

 

[engineercarl]

I would assume bids are handled by department seniority, not time in their current position.

A place like 75's would seem to be a valued spot since it sits close to the county border making access to those residing in Ventura County closer to home.

I was reading in a Central Coast paper about an LA County guy at I think 126's that is involved in local politics in San Luis Obispo County and commutes from one of the cities along the 101 Freeway between Santa Maria and Pismo Beach. What a commute even if it isn't Mon-Fri.

I know a Captain at 126's that lives in Corona. A very nice lifestyle in Corona.

My father was at 52's in South Gate before LA County took that over, so he got rolled in with his seniority from that, and when he promoted to Engineer he pretty much had his pick of wherever there was an opening. Since he had moved his family to Ventura County almost a decade prior, 75 is where he went. When he retired he had a lower seniority number than most of the battalion chiefs.

He was happy driving the truck (and not running into burning buildings or up and down a flaming hillside).

EC

 

[Markb]

If my recollection is correct Vernon FD was a non-union department and if so they will have to rely on the belief that the right thing will be done in their interests.

Vernon Firefighters - Local 2312