Comments on: Alameda Fire Chief Dave Kapler station on impact of cuts

By: John Knox White

John Knox White — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:55:35 +0000

Lauren Do posted a good video link about Measure P and the changing circumstances since it was placed on the ballot and today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fINta1N15w

By: Eve Pearlman

Eve Pearlman — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:43:33 +0000

Dom wrote:

“The ballot initiative does not seek to increase staffing and deployment in the AFD. It seeks to establish a minimum threshold that has been established for 12 years. What it does, is limit the manipulation of staffing emergency resources to meet an already handicapped budget. It lets the citizens become informed and decide what level of service they want.”

While we all want the best possible–there’s a lot that I want but I can’t afford–we also have to live within our means. As the city’s means contract, and the cost of providing services increases, compromises must be made. Governing by ballot initiative makes no sense and handicaps those who are in charge of the big picture–maintaining all city services as much as possible.

Of course we want more emergency personnel on duty! Of course no amount of time is short enough when we’re waiting in an emergency! But we can’t afford to maintain what we’ve got with the salary and benefits and management and infrastructure that we currently have. The question I am most interested in is how can we maintain, as much as possible, current service levels by cutting elsewhere? What structural and strategic changes can be made? This is time for out of the box thinking not head-to-head warfare, charter amendment v. lawsuit. It isn’t going to be the way it was, so what should the new way look like? And how can you help.

By: Eve Pearlman

Eve Pearlman — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:23:57 +0000

Hi, William! I think it’s important to remember that times are tough and funds are limited and there are lots of forces at work on city government. I do know that initial Measure P estimates were made based on numbers before the crash of the economy/housing market, for example. And I don’t think anyone really has a handle on how much post retirement benefits (retiree health care costs, for example) would continue to sky rocket. I suspect that if that P hadn’t passed we would be looking at more cuts to services. That said, looking at the increase in emergency response time in the city makes me sad, and I’m hopeful the new city manager can look carefully at all ways to maintain services for people in Alameda—emergency services along with parks along with roads and traffic lights and everything we as a community need.

By: William Michaels

William Michaels — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:07:34 +0000

Eve-
I feel the City pulled a fast on me. I voted for Measure P in November and it passed by a narrow margin (Less than 1%). I voted for it because it said it would maintain vital City services and in fact it stated in the first line of the voter pamphlet “To maintain essential City services such as keeping existing fire stations open”. And now the city is closing a Fire Station. If any body should be suing it should be the voters of Alameda to repeal Measure P!!!!

William Michaels

By: Domenick Weaver

Domenick Weaver — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:54:48 +0000

Eve, Just to clarify, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE the first responding unit will arrive in under 4 minutes. WIth the brownouts, there have been several instances where the first responder DID NOT arrive in under 4 minutes. Including a CARDIAC ARREST on March 14th that had a 7 minute 10 second response time for the first responder. Had there not been a unit browned out that day, it would have been likely a first responder would have arrived at about 4 minutes. That time difference is incredibly critical to that type of call as it increases the chance of survivability. With every minute of delayed treatment, the chances go down.

The ballot initiative does not seek to increase staffing and deployment in the AFD. It seeks to establish a minimum threshold that has been established for 12 years. What it does, is limit the manipulation of staffing emergency resources to meet an already handicapped budget. It lets the citizens become informed and decide what level of service they want.

Finally, the people of Alameda need to know that the “Union” representing Alameda Firefighters is made up of, and run entirely by Alameda Firefighters who want nothing more that to serve the community to the best of their ability. We have no desire to bankrupt our employer. I hope that helps people understand. I encourage any and all who are interested in finding out about how things have got to this stage to attend one of our upcoming “Town Hall” meetings. See http://www.savealamedafirehouses.com for more info.

By: Lauren Do

Lauren Do — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:32:50 +0000

Really interesting, thanks Eve. I think it’s important to note that the initial vehicle will always get there under four minutes. I know that I feel comfortable — and am impressed — that the brownouts have minimally impacted levels of service.