ICFD staffing shortages and excessive overtime reach Board of Supervisors
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) - The Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD) chief provided public comment during Board of Supervisors meeting on August 18 regarding ongoing labor issues.
The union has been voicing their grievances concerning staffing shortages and excessive overtime demands placed on personnel.
County firefighters said they've been dealing with the staffing shortages, forced overtime, and a lack of funding since 2022. They said they're short by about 16 firefighters and it's causing them to work over 90 hours a week.
"That forces firefighters to work extra days, not by choice, because emergency calls don't stop and we still have to answer those calls," Imperial County Firefighter's Association (ICFA) Treasurer Rodolfo Vasquez told News 11 outside the board meeting.
"That means that we're not allowed to go home because we still have to provide the service that we're here to provide, which we are happy to provide, but we also need support," he explained.
The association says some positions are being used to provide 24 hour coverage in the Salton Sea area, which costs the county roughly $1 million a year.
One firefighter said most of the medication in their emergency kit is expired and they had to borrow gloves because they did not have any.
Simply put, it comes down to three areas that need immediate attention.
"For our firefighter health and safety, for proper equipment, and the critical one that is more important is staffing. Staffing is our number one priority right now," Vasquez said.
Now, the focus shifts directly to county leadership and whether these comments will lead to any changes
"One thing we're looking at is hiring more reserves," Supervisor John Hawk said in an interview last week with News 11. "The days are getting longer and the hours are getting longer and they're getting tired."
In a phone call following the meeting, the ICFA told News 11 they felt the meeting went very well. They especially appreciated Supervisor Jesus Escobar's attention to their needs.
