Photo courtesy of Ronald Ramos,Jr.
STOCKTON, CA - The City of Stockton has laid off 36 firefighters due to budget constraints.
Stockton Fire Department Deputy Chief Paul Willette said 48 positions will be cut Friday at 8 a.m.
Before city and fire union negotiations became deadlocked Thursday night, seven fire fighters opted for early retirement and several others agreed to take demotions over layoffs.
The lay offs will reduce staffing of all engine companies from five to four and drops staffing on trucks from three to two; 19 fewer firefighters will be on duty.
Engine Company 1 will be closed by Friday.
"Simply, the city can no longer afford the level of fire service it previously could afford," Stockton Interim Fire Chief Dave Rudat said.
According to Rudat, Measure H and Measure W do not impede the layoffs in the fire department. Rudat said the layoffs came after the fire union agreed to waive the minimum staffing requirements in its current contract.
Firefighters at Station #2, who received layoff notices, said they are putting their names on a master list of firefighters in the state looking for work. Some said they would move anywhere in California to find work at another fire department.
"We've coordinated for them to work up to the last day here on an overtime basis or their regular shift," said Rudat. "And we have a systematic process for them to turn in safety gear so it's a smooth transition of them out of the organization."
Rudat said the city will help the firefighters with career counseling, resume writing, and will expedite any background checks other fire departments request from the city.
Willette said the current levels are the same as those in the 1950's.
News10/KXTV