SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.
Firefighters with the city of San Bernardino are facing an uncertain future. Since January, a total of 10 firefighters have left the city to look elsewhere."It's progressively been getting worse for the last 7-8 years now to a point where the attrition rate has accelerated in the last year due to the bankruptcy," said Bernardino Fire Department Deputy Chief Tom Hannemann.The firefighters union says the problem was made worse after the city began seeking bids to outsource the fire service as a cost-cutting measure. The city is not looking to outsource its police force, but it too, has seen a similar turnover.In 2014, 24 sworn officers left either to take jobs in other cities or to retire, according to San Bernardino police Chief Jarrod Burguan.
"For the most part, they cite stability reasons, the bankruptcy the city is going through, the uncertainty to the future, the fact that a contract with the employee group is not in place," Burguan said. San Bernardino City Manager Allen Parker says the city is working to restore some of that stability. Later this month, Parker will present a plan of adjustment laying out the city's future budget. Parker says, for now, public safety is being maintained with overtime. The union representing firefighters says the practice is causing its members to be overworked and stressed. Many residents are now wondering what it all means for their safety. "If you start cutting back on money, you cut back on fire stations. If you cut back on fire stations, you cut back on response times. Eventually, you'll have to start asking your neighbors to help you out," said Frank Cedeno of San Bernardino. Both public safety agencies are hiring, but even that takes time. "It really is about anywhere from a year to a year and a half to have somebody doing the same role," Burguan said. The city says it's looking at contract offers from CalFire, the county and some private fire agencies. On May 18, the City Council will vote on the plan of adjustment.