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.
The Los Angeles County report on consolidation of the Arcadia Fire Department into the Los Angeles County Fire Protection District raises many questions.
During last Tuesday's City Council meeting, Council member Robert Harbicht accused Arcadia Firefighters of opposing April's Measure A in order to hurt the city's financial position to the extent that the city consolidates the Fire Department with Los Angeles County.
Analysis of the economics of a proposal to consolidate the Arcadia Fire Department into the Los Angeles County Fire Protection District found that the projected savings weren't there.
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.
Seven firefighters were injured in Arcadia house fire on White Oak Drive. The Arcadia Fire Department (AFD) required assistance from Monrovia, Sierra Madre, El Monte, and Los Angeles County. Six from AFD were treated at Arcadia Methodist Hospital. The seventh firefighter, from Sierra Madre Fire Department, remained hospitalized in stable condition at St. Luke's Hospital in Pasadena. The house sustained extensive loss. Nearby residents wondered if the AFD needed so much help from outside fire departments because of recent cuts to the AFD.
The consultant firm of Peat Marwick L.L.P. finds that the Fire Department overtime costs are not out of line and that the department is being managed efficiently.
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.