Fire Protection Services in Montara/Moss Beach, California

By Carson Gregory "Greg" Taylor

Now that some time has elapsed since the operational "merger" between the Half Moon Bay and Point Montara Fire Protection Districts, a thorough evaluation of the quality of this agreement is warranted.

First, the current board has helped to ensure the survivability of the department. My kudos. We no longer have to borrow money from the county for the "dry period" of July-December. Second, we still have a two man engine company most of the time and have a paramedic approximately 1/3 of the time. Better, but not good enough. Third, we are at the mercy of the administration from HMB on all issues relating to the provision of service in our district. Our board of directors really only has control over the finances and over keeping HMB to the letter of the law of the contract. I have not seen a great deal of effort on the part of the Half Moon Bay Fire Protection District Administration to improve the quality of services in our district without much foot stomping from those of us living here. While the contract does afford some protection to our citizens, it is not the same as having control over our destiny.

I feel that if we can run the district with the same, or less budget (1/3 of which is Measure H money $177 per year compared to approx. $35 per year in HMB) and can provide the same or a better level of service than we are currently enjoying, why don't we adjust the level of the benefit assessment. Why are we paying more for service and getting less than the citizens of El Granada and HMB? The county and the JPA (Joint Powers Agreement) dictate the level of services to be provided and given we no longer have any employees, we are presented with an opportunity to demand the quality of service we deserve. For instance, we should have paramedic level service on a 24 hour per day continuous basis, not 1/3-1/2 of the time.

Additional resources necessary to meet the requirements of 911 calls are now dictated by the county. Therefore, we will always have access to the cliff and water rescue as well as additional fire apparatus necessary for structure fire and other emergency responses. Don't you think it is time for us to evaluate the quality of service provided by our fire department?

Please write and let me know how you feel.....Just because the big red engine shows up in front of your house, it doesn't mean it's getting here from Moss Beach (it may be from EG) and it certainly doesn't mean it has a paramedic on board!!!!