Fire Chief Gene Mahoney, with City Council approval, is instituting an apprentice fireman program, in which the men will take training classes at PCC while actually employees of the Arcadia Fire Department.
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.
Article outlines procedures followed by the Arcadia Fire Department regarding the clearing of weed-infested lots. The procedures are different for vacant lots and for lots that have an occupied dwelling.
Firemen Local 986 of Monrovia has obtained a restraining order against the Monrovia Fire Department that precludes participation in mutual aid with Arcadia. Final determination of a solution should be had by March 12, 1974.
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.
Fire Chief Gene Mahoney has been placed on indefinite leave of absence without pay. Since Mahoney came to Arcadia in 1973, the Fire Department has been prey to internal tension. Bob Dick has been named acting Chief.
A $10.4 million budget will be aired for the public June 14, 1976. The largest item is $2.2 million for the Police Department. Next is the Fire Department at $1.6 million.
Report on the case of Fire Department member Richard Defer, who was originally awarded a sum of $11,000 in Worker's Compensation benefits as the result of a softball game injury. The Worker's Compensation Appeals Board overturned the decision as it was not a city-sponsored game.
Captain Jerry Broadwell, a 10 year veteran of the Fire Department died of burns and other injuries sustained in a blaze at the 300 block of North Santa Anita Avenue on August 20, 1975. See VF "Broadwell, Jerry (1928-1975)" for a hard copy.
A plan for a joint fire dispatch center to serve the cities of Arcadia, Monrovia, El Monte and Sierra Madre was unanimously voted down by the Arcadia City Council.
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.