Grant to bring 30 paid-call firefighters to Calif. county

By Stacia Glenn
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A federal grant is going to boost diminishing ranks of paid-call firefighters in San Bernardino County.

The $532,025 Homeland Security grant, accepted by the Board of Supervisors last week, will pay for minimal salaries and training of 30 paid-call firefighters over a two-year span.

"In the desert areas and mountain communities, they're heavily depended on," San Bernardino County Fire Deputy Chief Dan Wurl said. "They may be the only type of fire protection provided within their communities."

There are nearly 400 paid-call firefighters in the county, though fire officials said the number has been shrinking because people have a hard time committing the time without compensation. Many vacate their positions to go on and become full-time firefighters.

About 400 paid-call firefighters have left the county in the last three years, officials said.

New hires, many of whom are expected to be those already enrolled in local fire Explorer programs, will earn $8.32 an hour. They will likely work eight-hour days, though some assignments could require 24-hour shifts at the station.

County officials said they are particularly pleased with the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant because it requires no matching funds.

"In these budget times when cities and local governments are trimming public-safety positions, this is a significant benefit to maintaining staffing levels," 3rd District Supervisor Neil Derry said.

"Our county has seen more than its share of devastating fires in recent years," 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said in a written statement. "This funding will give a much needed boost to our fire department staffing levels and will improve the safety of both firefighters and the public by ensuring they have adequate resources."

The majority of paid-call firefighters brought on board with grant monies will be placed in the first and third districts because they encompass most of the desert and mountain areas, officials said.

Applications must be turned in by June 5.

Training is scheduled to start in August and paid-call firefighters will likely start work early next year.

The job form clearly states preference may be given to Explorers.

"These young men and women are the firefighters of the future," Fire Chief Pat Dennen said. "We need to reach out to our youth, giving them the option to explore opportunities within the fire service."

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