Dear Neighbors,

 

Yesterday I received a call from San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane's office.  The phone call was a request to send an e-mail about an important fire protection meeting being conducted by the Local Agency Formation Commission.   

 

On Monday, February 5th at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Fontana City Hall, located at 8353 Sierra Ave. there will be a meeting asking for public comments regarding the restructuring of the San Bernardino County Fire Department.  During this meeting the City of Fontana will make an application to withdraw from the County Fire Agency.  Fontana's request will take months of evaluation before a decision is made by the Local Agency Formation Commission.  It is my feeling that if this request by the City of Fontana is granted, it will break the back of the San Bernardino County Fire Department.  Fontana provides a large portion of the County Fire Department's funding, and if Fontana forms its own Fire Protection District, the County of San Bernardino will not have enough money to staff most of the remaining fire stations including the one in San Antonio Heights.

 

Possible alternatives for San Antonio Heights would be to contract with the City of Upland or Rancho Cucamonga for fire protection, agree to pay higher taxes to keep a fire truck in San Antonio Heights, ask for the County to once again contract with the California Division of Forestry for fire protection, or hope the County Board of Supervisors will provide additional funds to staff a fire station.  If you have strong feelings on this matter and would like to speak at the meeting, everyone wishing to speak will be given an opportunity. 

 

If you would like more information you can call Tim Johnson at Paul Biane's office at  909 945-4297, or e-mail him at tjohnson@sbcoujnty.gov   Mr. Johnson is off on Fridays. 

 

Ken McNeil