County requires fit volunteer firefighters
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Fire Chief Gil Turrentine considers it his department and his equipment. At 73-years-old, this fire chief is still passionate about his job with the San Pasqual Volunteer Fire department. One he does for free for nearly six decades.
"This is my life. I love it," Chief Turrentine said.
This fire chief and other fire volunteers in leadership posts are critical of a new contract presented by the county.
"Now they say we have to pass a physical to get on the county workman's comp," Chief Turrentine said.
The San Pasqual Volunteer Fire department is part of the newly-formed San Diego County Fire Authority approved by the county Board of Supervisors last year. CFA is made up of multiple volunteer fire agencies including: De Luz, Ocotillo Wells, Mount Laguna, Shelter Valley and Ranchita. Volunteers from these fire agencies now must pass a mandatory physical exam.
Assistant Fire Chief Dawn Pettijohn has been with San Pasqual Volunteer Fire department for several years. She explains not all firefighting jobs can fall under one category.
"All we're asking is that the county recognized those community oriented volunteers and lessen the physical medical standards for them," Pettijohn said.
The county Department of Planning and Land Use released this statement to FOX 5.
"We value our volunteer fire agencies and hope they will sign new contracts."
The statement goes on to read: "This is all about public safety --- making sure that firefighters and the public they serve are safe. The County Fire Authority was created to improve fire protection... a key part of that was to require all CFA to undergo medical and background checks."
Fire Chief Daniel Johnson is in charge of the Ocotillo Wells Volunteer Fire department. He said forcing experiened volunteers to undergo the medical exam means forcing them out of a job replaced by younger staff.
"Once they get through the academy and once they get up in the ranks, they start moving out," Chief Johnson said.
But Chief Turrentine doesn't plan on moving out anytime soon.
"I'm pissed off if they asked me to walk out the door after 56 years of volunteering in the county, that ain't gonna happen," Chief Turrentine said.
Six volunteer fire agencies will need to sign the contract by July 1st. So far, Innermountain Volunteer Fire department and the Sunshine Summit department have signed the contract. Ocotillo Wells, Ranchita, Shelter Valley and De Luz have not signed on. 184 volunteers have passed the physical exam, four failed the exam.
The county said if these volunteer agencies don't sign the contract, it won't affect fire protection. The county plans on using other volunteers and fire agencies to fill the role on an interim basis and protect the backcountry.
"This is my life. I love it," Chief Turrentine said.
This fire chief and other fire volunteers in leadership posts are critical of a new contract presented by the county.
"Now they say we have to pass a physical to get on the county workman's comp," Chief Turrentine said.
The San Pasqual Volunteer Fire department is part of the newly-formed San Diego County Fire Authority approved by the county Board of Supervisors last year. CFA is made up of multiple volunteer fire agencies including: De Luz, Ocotillo Wells, Mount Laguna, Shelter Valley and Ranchita. Volunteers from these fire agencies now must pass a mandatory physical exam.
Assistant Fire Chief Dawn Pettijohn has been with San Pasqual Volunteer Fire department for several years. She explains not all firefighting jobs can fall under one category.
"All we're asking is that the county recognized those community oriented volunteers and lessen the physical medical standards for them," Pettijohn said.
The county Department of Planning and Land Use released this statement to FOX 5.
"We value our volunteer fire agencies and hope they will sign new contracts."
The statement goes on to read: "This is all about public safety --- making sure that firefighters and the public they serve are safe. The County Fire Authority was created to improve fire protection... a key part of that was to require all CFA to undergo medical and background checks."
Fire Chief Daniel Johnson is in charge of the Ocotillo Wells Volunteer Fire department. He said forcing experiened volunteers to undergo the medical exam means forcing them out of a job replaced by younger staff.
"Once they get through the academy and once they get up in the ranks, they start moving out," Chief Johnson said.
But Chief Turrentine doesn't plan on moving out anytime soon.
"I'm pissed off if they asked me to walk out the door after 56 years of volunteering in the county, that ain't gonna happen," Chief Turrentine said.
Six volunteer fire agencies will need to sign the contract by July 1st. So far, Innermountain Volunteer Fire department and the Sunshine Summit department have signed the contract. Ocotillo Wells, Ranchita, Shelter Valley and De Luz have not signed on. 184 volunteers have passed the physical exam, four failed the exam.
The county said if these volunteer agencies don't sign the contract, it won't affect fire protection. The county plans on using other volunteers and fire agencies to fill the role on an interim basis and protect the backcountry.
