Fire Chiefs of 19 Foothill cities met this spring and have worked out a strike force plan for more efficient fire fighting. Since the dry conditions make this potentially the worst fire season since 1920, this could mean great savings. A strike force will consist of 5 units directed by a team leader.
The Fire Department has a new, green $150,000 fire engine on loan from the California Office of Emergency Services. It is specially equipped to handle large brush fires.
The Insurance Services Office, which rates fire departments, awarded the Arcadia Fire Department a "Class One" rating, making them one of only 16 departments in the country with that rating.
The Arcadia and Monrovia fire departments have merged dispatch services, earning Arcadia $60,000 the first year and $80,000 a year in subsequent years.
The family of Captain Jerry Broadwell, who died while fighting a fire in August, is suing the company whose building was gutted for storing flammable material in an illegal and careless manner. See VF "Broadwell, Jerry (1928-1975)" for a hard copy.
Arcadia Fire Department's recent reconfirmation of being a "Class 1" department by the Insurance Services office may result in lower insurance premiums for area businesses.
Program N.E.A.T.(Neighborhood Emergency Action Team) was presented to the community by the Arcadia Fire Department. It was developed to organize neighborhoods to prepare themselves in the event of a major disaster.
Feasibility study for the provision of outside fire responses services to Sierra Madre commissioned. Arcadia City Council, led by Mayor Sho Tay, approved the study to be conducted to weigh the pros and cons of providing fire suppression services to the City of Sierra Madre.
A Los Angeles County proposal to take over fire and ambulance service from the Arcadia Fire Department would cost the city as much as $8 million more than present costs over 10 years, according to a city report.
Though there will be no federal funds available, it is still possible for Arcadia, Monrovia, El Monte and Sierra Madre to build a joint fire station and communications center.
Arcadia Paramedics have been asked to assist in field training of paramedic trainees from PCC. The Fire Chief said that there is great reluctance to do so, but agreed that Arcadia Paramedics received their training from Los Angeles County and Beverly Hills Fire Departments and should repay this service by helping new trainees.
Arcadia City Council on Wednesday called for a study on whether it should contract with Los Angeles County for its fire protection services. The decision came after a marathon 5 1/2 hour session on the budget that attracted more than 400 spectators.