We asked your opinion on the fire department's brown-out policy.
San Diego fire fighters are the highest paid city employee's with full retirement at only 50 years old. The city simple can't afford this huge financial burden and the entire compensation schedule needs to be lowered so all fire stations can be operated. -- Cameran
The public needs to put pressure on the San Diego Fire Union to lower their compensation demands. Many fire figthers in San Diego make more than highly educated professionals and they get full retirement @ 50 years old. The cost savings could be used to operate all fire stations. -- John
The fire dept budget cuts are financially necessary. If the fire dept union is really concerned about public safety they could be more reasonable with their compensation demands, which would allow the city to operate more fire stations. With the average San Diego fire fighter making over $115K per year and a gold plated pension at 50 years old the city simply can’t afford to keep all these stations running. -- John
The fire dept is there for Emergencies!!! How does the "brown out program" saving money but not allowing the fire dept to Save Lives? 4 minutes and 27 seconds, REALLY!!! The fire dept should be fully staffed and supplied with fire engines that Hold Water IN CASE of an Emergency! -- a lady
I know the city has to cut spending, but when they cut our emergancy services, it's just wrong. When the city blames the fire dept.about the retirement cost, they failed to let the people know that the fire dept. didn't get the raises right away. They put it in the firemen retirements. So when these people retire, thats when they are getting thier raises, years later!The Fire Department is not breaking the City, the city did it to it's self!!!!! I'm a fireman's wife, thats how I know this! -- Jolee
The number one responsibility of government is to protect its residents. These rolling brown-outs are unfair to the public.
By the way, the fire station closest to the Mayor's Kensignton home is not subject to the brown-out. -- Greg
The brownout/fire issue isn't the city's fault, or the firefighters union's fault. It's OUR fault! Until we repeal Prop 13, and admit that we can't have ridiculously low tax rates AND top-notch taxpayer-funded services, it's only going to get worse! If there's anyone to blame and point fingers at, all we have to do is find the nearest mirror. -- Brian
