Tehachapi Underground

Please have a detailed study done BEFORE having Tehachapi Fire Dept go full time. The public deserves FULL DISCLOSURE about the true cost of this endeavor BEFORE the city commits to it.

Many items need to be reviewed in determining the TRUE cost of this dept:


*The potential cost of early medical retirements for TFD firefighters

*Cost for formal recruitment, appropriate candidate testing and academy training

*Cost of overtime while others are injured or sick

*Equipment replacement/accrual

*Examine the need for a second engine company in Tehachapi (how much more to expand the KCFD contract versus buying and operating another engine company through TFD)

*The cost of eliminating the use of prisoners (convicted felons) on house fires and car accidents.

*The cost of additional outside help (beyond the VERY LIMITED mutual aid available to TFD) in the event of a major event. TFD has no helicopter or much of the other specialized equipment available through KCFD.

*The increased liability cost to the city for having a full time fire department. This liability will no longer be transferred to KCFD.

*How exactly does the city plan to increase revenue to cover the very high cost for this full time dept?


Since it has been reported that KCFD's Station 12 costs over $1 million dollars a year to operate, the cost estimates for TFD appear very UNDERSTATED, and frankly, inaccurate.

The tax payers deserve to know why they should pay MUCH, MUCH more for less substantial fire service.

After having a formal cost study done, I encourage the city council to bring this matter directly to the taxpayers for a vote. Let the people decide if "local control" is worth the significant additional cost.

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I sent the above email to the city counsel via jkelley@tehachapicityhall.com. I suggest you voice your own opinions.

Activism

When I moved to this beautiful area almost 7 months ago, I never dreamed I would be an activist. But I really love the lifestyle Tehachapi offers and want it to stay nice and even improve.

What do YOU want Tehachapi to be like in 10 years?

More like Lancaster???

NO WAY!!!

I fear the city gov't is selling out the area residents by trying to generate more tax revenues to fund their own full time fire department. Since the new TFD will have a cost that is MULTIPLES above what the County of Kern charges, the City of Tehachapi will be forced to scramble for more sources of funds. So are we to expect more and more "big box" type stores. Those things sure do bring in the tax dollars! Will there be other added taxes or special assessments?

Is this the direction Tehachapi is headed?

Are you happy about that?

I have major issues with the County as well. Why are Tehachapi schools so overcrowded? Why are prisoners being used in place of firefighters? Perhaps the money the county collects is not being spent the way it should be - wrong priorities.

I do not claim to have all the answers, but I am interested in learning more about these issues. I am also determined to be the "squeaky wheel" and will try to bring these issues to the public so their best interests will be served. For example, I am passing out fliers to educate the people of Tehachapi about the TFD issue.

I would love to have you participate in this process.

Tehachapi Underground

Tehachapi Underground

So the City of Tehachapi wants a full time fire dept...

Why?

City officials say it is about "local control".

Many believe Tehachapi's citizens will have to pay much, much more for a lot less service.

What say you?

Inmates as Firefighters?

If they think public safety is so important, why does the City of Tehachapi and County of Kern use an engine partially manned by prison inmates? Instead of pouring money into a new fire dept., why doesn't the city replace the prisoners with full time professional firefighters? Wouldn't that protect the public better?

These prisoners are allowed to respond to house fires and traffic collisions - even though they are not adequately trained. They even wear yellow turnouts so you can not distinguish them from the firefighters. Would you want prisoners coming to your house? Would you want them "first in" on your car accident? Also, MANY homes in the Tehachapi area contain firearms. And there are four inmates and only one captain. H-E-L-L-O!

The liability to the county/city for this situation has got to be immense. Heaven forbid, but if an inmate harms/molests a person what kind of legal defense can the city/county make? Is it negligent to allow a known felon access to vunerable people? (People in need of help from the fire dept are typically in a vunerable condition.)

Post your opinion. What can be done about this?

Welcome to the Tehachapi Underground

The purpose of this blog is to encourage discussion about things that are important to those living in the Tehachapi area. I was motivated to start this blog when the Tehachapi News deleted a forum dedicated to discussion of the City of Tehachapi starting it's own full time Fire Dept. But this blog is certainly not limited to this issue.

The Tehachapi Underground welcomes lively debate on all issues. The only requirement is that this debate be civil. We can disagree and be respectful at the same time. This is also a great place to announce activities for your community organization.

Tehachapi is in an era of fast growth. This presents many challenges. Hopefully, as a community, we can work through these issues and be more involved in the direction our town is headed.