Ok Rialto we may as well get ready for the fight, cause let me tell you were already short on service while the finish fire station 202 pictured below.
Rialto Fire responds to over 8,000 calls per year. They cover 24 sq miles in the Santa Ana wind tunnel (wind is the biggest demon in a fire fight).
Sitting at a city council meeting last year fighting to keep the number of cops we have now I heard that the overtime for Rialto fire is almost triple what it is for Rialto pd. So when Interim Chief Jim Ballard states that people will be forced to stay over I just can’t see the savings in layoffs.
Dianna Martinez is the first victim of the anticipated layoffs with her seat now being vacant.
Rialto Fire Union president says that informal talks broke down with city officials last week.
Members are voting Wednesday and Thursday on how to deal with these budget short falls. Its either consetions or layoffs. The layoffs on the table are 4 of the 54 fire officers, but that’s not the end. The city has a possible 6 additional layoffs waiting in the wings.
Who remembers that we pay an additional 8% on all our utilities for public safety in the city of Rialto. Where is that money going?
What ever happens it needs to be figured out by the end of the month or the city will go forward with the layoffs.
The problem is if the Fire Department decides to go with layoffs they hurt us as well as them. We are depending on them to be there when we need them. If they lose 8 officers we will be at a serious disadvantage.
The more staff we lose the less likely our children will be able to experience moments like these, or having fire fighters at their schools ect.
Let your voices ring if you so decide and come speak before the city council next meeting is September 27, 2011 at 6pm at city hall.
Below is the NBC 4 news report where information was derived.
rialtonow 
Sep 22, 2011 @ 09:13:09
Really sad that the city council can’t manage their city money properly and instead cut the services to citizens like me. Truly amazing. There goes another vote from me for this utility tax. Good job guys
Sep 23, 2011 @ 17:19:19
Irritated the utility tax is already there its been there for years unless theres one Im unaware of?
Sep 23, 2011 @ 19:21:05
Tragic times we are living in. Every city is cutting back to meet budget.. The way the economy is going next year there will be less tax revenue as there was this year.I wonder if a 10% cut in pay for all will save the jobs for the 6 firemen? Bad times for all tax supported agencies. the fire department does such a great job when ever we need them.