Amador County – Plymouth City Council directed staff last month to analyze two proposals for fire fighting coverage in the city, and heard it could get up to $104,000 in funds through Measure M. Jim McCart, chief of the Amador Fire Protection District identified that amount for Plymouth, and City Finance Director Jeff Gardner corrected him, saying that would be the amount the city would get if it collected Measure M taxes and was a member of that fire district. McCart said the county gets $1.8 million and Plymouth’s share would be 40 percent. He said: “If you respond as a city with your own equipment and personnel, you would get Measure M funding for this.” City Manager Dixon Flynn said he spent a lot of time with Ione City Manager Kim Kerr discussing Ione Fire Department’s coverage of its own city, and a presentation to cover Plymouth. Flynn said Ione’s ideas are different and innovative and her presentation is excellent. But he recommended the AFPD as a better option. Kerr said “we’re not here to take over fire or monopolize,” but were “looking to maximize dollars” with Jackson Valley Fire District. She said Ione has discussed a service agreement with Buena Vista Rancheria for its casino, and Jackson Valley Fire District did not want to violate its Calfire contract. Kerr said volunteers, daytime staff and “paid call” firefighters make up Ione fire coverage, and a lot of Ione’s volunteers are trained firefighters. Councilwoman Pat Shackleton asked Kerr “why on earth do you want to do this?” Kerr said it was to help neighbors, and if they could make Plymouth a strong fire service, it would help Ione in mutual aid. Kerr said “from a city perspective, we’re just her to help, and we’re not offended if you don’t want us.” AFPD, currently serving Plymouth, made a more lucrative offer, with subsidies, but the council asked for a breakdown of details of the offers. Councilman Jon Colburn said Worker’s Compensation costs were “one of the reasons we went with AFPD” in 1998. AFPD also offers 24/7 coverage. Ione Fire Chief Ken Mackey said he has fought fires in the trenches with McCart and Willow Springs, and was asked to make a presentation to Plymouth about helping it get back its own fire department. Mackey said: “In no way, shape or form do I ever want to see a division in fire departments. We are a brotherhood, a sisterhood and one family.” The council on Thursday could discuss a fire protection service agreement. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wednesday, 08 September 2010 06:42
Plymouth to study fire service offers
Amador County – Plymouth City Council directed staff last month to analyze two proposals for fire fighting coverage in the city, and heard it could get up to $104,000 in funds through Measure M. Jim McCart, chief of the Amador Fire Protection District identified that amount for Plymouth, and City Finance Director Jeff Gardner corrected him, saying that would be the amount the city would get if it collected Measure M taxes and was a member of that fire district. McCart said the county gets $1.8 million and Plymouth’s share would be 40 percent. He said: “If you respond as a city with your own equipment and personnel, you would get Measure M funding for this.” City Manager Dixon Flynn said he spent a lot of time with Ione City Manager Kim Kerr discussing Ione Fire Department’s coverage of its own city, and a presentation to cover Plymouth. Flynn said Ione’s ideas are different and innovative and her presentation is excellent. But he recommended the AFPD as a better option. Kerr said “we’re not here to take over fire or monopolize,” but were “looking to maximize dollars” with Jackson Valley Fire District. She said Ione has discussed a service agreement with Buena Vista Rancheria for its casino, and Jackson Valley Fire District did not want to violate its Calfire contract. Kerr said volunteers, daytime staff and “paid call” firefighters make up Ione fire coverage, and a lot of Ione’s volunteers are trained firefighters. Councilwoman Pat Shackleton asked Kerr “why on earth do you want to do this?” Kerr said it was to help neighbors, and if they could make Plymouth a strong fire service, it would help Ione in mutual aid. Kerr said “from a city perspective, we’re just her to help, and we’re not offended if you don’t want us.” AFPD, currently serving Plymouth, made a more lucrative offer, with subsidies, but the council asked for a breakdown of details of the offers. Councilman Jon Colburn said Worker’s Compensation costs were “one of the reasons we went with AFPD” in 1998. AFPD also offers 24/7 coverage. Ione Fire Chief Ken Mackey said he has fought fires in the trenches with McCart and Willow Springs, and was asked to make a presentation to Plymouth about helping it get back its own fire department. Mackey said: “In no way, shape or form do I ever want to see a division in fire departments. We are a brotherhood, a sisterhood and one family.” The council on Thursday could discuss a fire protection service agreement. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Latest from
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