FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rescue Firefighters Association Challenges Brownout Plan by Cameron Park CSD

Rescue, CA - The Rescue Professional Firefighters Association, representing the dedicated firefighters of the Rescue Fire Protection District, has taken a stand against the Cameron Park Community Services District's plan to brown out Station 88 on Alhambra Drive. The Rescue Fire Department has been a reliable neighbor, responding to emergent and non-emergent calls in the Cameron Park, Sleepy Hollow, and Lotus areas. With the closure of Station 88, Rescue will be forced to handle even more emergencies for which their community is not compensated, putting a strain on resources, and increasing response times.

"Mutual aid is not a giveaway program," says Brett Jones, the president of Rescue Professional Firefighters Association. "Every department must strive to provide quality, first-level, day-to-day protection." The Western Slope Cooperative Fire Services Mutual Aid Agreement, signed in 1997 by ten agencies, including the Rescue Fire Protection District, was created to ensure a closest resource dispatching model for fire, rescue, or medical calls. Article VII of the agreement clearly states that "This agreement shall not be interpreted to relieve either party from the necessity or obligation of furnishing adequate fire and rescue service within any part of its territorial or jurisdictional limits."

By fire districts continuing to close stations and relying on smaller agencies like Rescue to handle emergencies for which they are not compensated, the larger agencies are in violation of the mutual aid agreement. The Rescue Professional Firefighters Association is calling on the Board of Directors of the Rescue Fire Protection District to take action to protect their community, which may include finding a way to annex the areas Rescue responds to but receive no revenue, charging a paramedic assessment fee for the medical calls they respond to, or terminating the Western Slope Cooperative Fire Services Mutual Aid Agreement altogether.

"Our first and foremost concern is the protection of our home community," says Brett Jones. The Rescue Professional Firefighters Association looks forward to working with the Rescue Fire Protection District to find a solution that ensures adequate protection for their community while upholding the principles of mutual aid. 

Contact:

Rescue Professional Firefighters Association

PO BOX 196

Rescue CA, 95672

Email: brett@rescuefiredepartment.org